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SECOND 


^eiitriiiiial  Celelrratiau 


OF   THE    EXPLORATION    OF 


ANCIENT  WOODBURY, 


AND    THK    RECEPTION    0^ 


THE  FIRST  INDIAN  DEED, 


HELD  AT  WOODBURY,  CONN., 


JULY  -i  AND  5,  1859. 


EDITED  BY  WILLIAM  COTHREN. 


WOODBURY; 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  GENERAL  COMMITTEE. 
•    1859. 

;(■■  .1    '  ' 


\ 


.SECOND 

Ceutnniial  Celebration 


OF    THE    EXPLOKATION    OF 


ANCIENT  WOODBURY, 


AND    THK    RECEPTION    Oi' 


THE  FIEST  INDIAN  DEED, 
HELD  AT  WOODBURY,  CONN., 


JULY  4  AND  5,  1859. 


EDITED  BY  WILLIAM  vCOTHREN 


WOODBURY . 
PUBLISHED  BY  THE  GENERAL  COMMITTEE. 
1859. 


104 

\AJZZ 


THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  CELEBRATION. 


At  a  meeting  of"  some  two  tliousand  persons,  from  the  several 
towns  of  "Ancient  Woodbury,"  on  the  5th  of  July,  1858,  it  was 
moved  by  William  Cothren,  and  seconded  by  Rev.  John  Churchill: 

"  That  a  Committee  of  two  from  each  of  the  towns  once  included, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  in  the  ancient  town  of  Woodbury,  be  appointed 
by  the  meeting ,  with  power  to  add  to  their  own  number,  and  to  ap- 
point all  necessary  Assistant  Committees,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
efficient  arrangements  for  the  Historical  Celebration  of  the  Second 
Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  first  Exploration  of  the  Town,  and 
the  reception  of  the  first  Indian  Deed,  at  Bethel  Rock,  on  the  4th 
day  of  July,  A.  D.  1859,  and  also  to  invite  gentlemen  to  deliver  the 
various  addresses,  &c.,  of  the  occasion." 

The  motion  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  the  following  named 
gentlemen  appointed  such  Committee  : 

William  Cothren,  C.  B.  Phelps,*  W.  T.  Bacon,t  P.  M.  Trow- 
bridge,t  Woodbury; 

R.  W.  Frisbie,  S.  H.  Mitchell,  Washington  ; 

T.  B.  Wheeler,  A.  B.  Downs,  Col.  C.  Hicock,t  Southhury ; 

Abraham  Beecher,  li.  W.  Peck,  Bethlein  ; 

H.  B.  Eastman,  F.  W.  Lathrop,  Roxhury  ; 

N.  J.  Wilcoxson,  Alfred  Harger,  Oxford; 

Dr.  Marcus  De Forest,  Jr.,  Leonard  Bronson,  Middlehury. 

FIRST    MEETING    OF    THE    COMMITTEE. 

On  the  18th  day  of  September,  1858,  the  General  Committee  held 
its  first  meeting,  pursuant  to  written  notice  by  letter,  to  each  member 
thereof,  from  the  chairman,  William  Cothren.  This  meeting  was 
held  at  the  office  of  the  late  Judge  Phelps,  but  the  chairman  was 

*  Judge  Phelps  died  December  21,  1858. 

t  Gentlemen  since  added  to  their  mimber  bv  the  Committee. 


absent,  attending  to  professional  business  in  a  neighboring  town. 
What  the  action  of  the  Committee  wa^,  will  be  seen  by  the  following 
paragraph,  which  went  the  lounds  of  the  Connecticut  press : 

WOODBURY    SECOND    CENTENNIAL    CELEBRATION. 

The  General  Committee  having  in  charge  the  matter  of  the  second 
centennial  celebration  of  the  discovery  of  the  valley  of  ancient 
Woodbury,  met  at  the  office  of  Hon.  C.  B.  Phelps,  on  the  18th  inst., 
and  gave  an  invitation  to  William  Cothren,  Esq.,  the  "  Historian  of 
Ancient  Woodbury,"  to  deliver  the  historical  address,  and  to  Rev. 
William  Thompson  Bacon,  the  "distinguished  native  poet  of  our 
vales,"  to  deliver  the  poem  on  the  occasion  of  the  celebration.  These 
invitations  have  been  accepted. 

By  a  vote  of  the  assemblage  at  the  celebration  on  the  5th  of  July 
last,  the  proposed  celebration  is  to  be  held  on  the  4th  of  July,  1859, 
at  "  Bethel  Rock."  Ample  preparations  will  be  made  by  the  Com- 
mittee to  have  the  celebration  worthy  of  the  occasion,  and  of  our 
historic  old  town. 

All  persons  having  facts  or  incidents  connected  Avith  the  history  of 
the  ancient  town,  are  respectfully  requested  to  communicate  them  to 
Mr.  Cothren,  or  Mr.  Bacon,  wlio  will  endeavor  to  make  a  proper  use 
of  them.  W. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1858,  pursuant  to  a  hke  written  notice 
from  the  chairman  to  each  member  of  the  General  Committee,  a 
meeting  was  held,  from  which  both  Mr.  Cothren  and  Mr.  Phelps 
were  absent,  being  engaged  in  the  trial  of  a  cause  in  which  they 
were  opposing  counsel.  Rev.  Wm.  T.  Bacon,  who  had  a  short  time 
previously  been  added  to  the  General  Committee,  presided,  and 
Philo  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq.,  acted  as  secretai'y  of  the  meeting.  At 
this  meeting,  the  following  votes  were  unanimously  passed,  viz . 

"•  Voted,  That  the  Centennial  Celebration  be  held  at  Bethel  Rock, 
in  Woodbury,  on  the  4th  and  5th  days  of  July,  1859,  pursuant  to 
the  vote  of  the  5th  of  July,  1858. 

Voted,  That  a  sermon  be  added  to  the  list  of  exercises  already 
agreed  upon  for  the  celebration. 

Voted,  That  we  do  invite  Rev.  Henry  B.  Sherman,  ot  Belleville, 
New  Jersey,  to  deliver  said  sermon. 

Voted,  That  there  be  an  Antique  Procession  on  said  4th  of  July. 

Voted,  That  there  be  a  Pioneer  Encampment  from  the  several 
towns  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  during  said  celebration. 


Voted,  That  a  committee  to  carry  out  the  last  two  votes,  and  the 
General  Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  Celebration,  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Committee  for  Woodbury. 

Voted,  That  a  Committee  of  Invitation  for  the  several  towns  be 
appointed  by  the  Woodbury  Committee. 

Voted,  That  tHE    General    Committee    of  Woodbury  be 

INSTRUCTED  TO  SECURE  SHORT  ADDRESSES  FROM  RESIDENTS  OF 
THE  TERRITORY,  AND  OTHERS  FROM  ABROAD,  WHO  SHALL  BE 
PRESENT    AT    SAID     CELEBRATION. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  of  Invitation  be  requested  to  secure 
the  portraits  of  early,  and  other  distinguished  residents  of  Ancient 
Woodbury,  for  the  Antiquarian  Portrait  Gallery  during  the  celebra- 
tion. 

Voted,  That  a  Committee  in  each  town  to  collect  funds  for  defray- 
ing the  expenses  of  said  celebration,  including  the  publication  of  the 
proceedings,  in  pamphlet  form,  be  appointed  by  the  General  Com- 
mittee of  each  town. 

Voted,  That  every  person  paying  one  dollar,  or  more,  towards  the 
expense  fund,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  copy  of  said  proceedings,  when 
published. 

Voted,  That  the  poets  of  the  territory  be  invited  to  furnish  odes 
for  the  occasion. 

Voted,  That  there  be  an  Anticiuarian  Pic-nic  each  day  of  the  cel- 
ebration." 

The  substance  of  these  votes  was  immediately  published  in  the 
newspapers  all  over  the  State,  and  every  body  Avho  reads  had  full 
opportunity  to  become  informed  of  the  action  of  the  Committee.  On 
their  return,  Messrs.  Phelps  and  Cothren  fully  acquiesced  in  the 
action  of  the  General  Committee.  They  had  left  a  paper  in  the 
hand-writing  of  Mr.  Cothren,  requesting  action  on  all  the  above  points. 

Pursuant  to  the  above  votes,  the  General  Committee  of  Woodbury 
appointed  the  following  Committee  of  Invitation,  with  power  in  the 
Committee  to  add  to  its  numbers,  viz  : 

Gommittee  of  Invitation. 
Woodbury — P.  M.  Trowbridge,  Thomas  Bull,  Lewis  Judd,  N.  B. 
Smith,  Henry  Minor. 

Southbury — Charles  Hicock,  Dr.  N,  C.  Baldwin. 
Washington — D.  B.  Brinsmade,  H.  J.  Church. 
Bethlem — John  C.  Ambler,  Wm,  E.  Harrison. 
Roxbury — C.  Beardsley,  N.  R.  Smith. 
Middlebury — Dr.  M.  DeForest,  Jr. 
Oxford — N.  J.  Wilcoxson. 


The  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Invitation  immediately  drew  a 
circular  letter  of  invitation  to  the  emigrants  from  Woodbury,  sub- 
mitted it  to  the  General  Committee  of  Woodbui-y,  and  it  was  ap- 
proved. The  first  edition  of  the  circular  was  issued  Feb.  1st,  1859. 
This  became  exhausted,  and  a  second  edition  was  issued  April  1st, 
1859,  a  copy  of  which  is  as  follows,  viz  : 

Woodbury,  Conn.,  April  1st,  1859. 
Dear  Sir  : — 

The  citizens  of  Ancient  Woodbury  met  on  Monday,  the  5th  of 
July  last,  and  celebrated  the  P^ighty-second  Anniversary  of  our 
National  Independence.  Near  the  close  of  the  exercises  of  that 
day,  on  motion  of  William  Cothren,  Esq.,  it  was  voted  by  accla- 
mation to  celebrate  on  the  4th  and  5th  of  July,  1859,  the  Two 
Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  exploration  of  Ancient  Woodbury  ; 
and  to  carry  said  vote  into  effect,  a  General  Committee  of  two  per- 
sons from  each  of  the  towns  once  included  in  Woodbury,  was  ap- 
pointed, with  full  power  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements. . 

The  above  Committee  having  appointed  the  undersigned  a  Com- 
mittee to  invite  all  persons  who  may  have  emigrated  from  among  us, 
and  all  others  interested,  does  hereby  extend  an  invitation  to  you 
personally,  and  solicit  you  to  be  present  and  unite  with  us  in  the  fes- 
tivities of  the  occasion. 

It  is  expected  the  exercises  will  occupy  two  days,  and  that  they 
will  be  nearly  as  follows : 

1.  Antique  Procession. 

2.  Historical  Address  by  William  Cothren,  Esq.,  the  Historian 
of  Woodbury. 

3.  Poem  by  Rev.  William  Thompson  Bacon,  of  Woodbury. 

4.  Sermon  by  Rev.  Henry  B.  Sherman,  of  Belleville,  N.  J. 

5.  Reading  of  Letters  and  Odes,  with  Speeches  from  distinguished 
Emigrants. 

6.  Mammoth  Antiquarian  Pic-Nic,  both  days. 

7.  Pioneer  Encampment  on  Orenaug  Rocks. 

8.  Amateui-  Indian  Encampment  on  Castle  Rock. 

9.  "  Guards  "  and  Sentinel  service  on  the  Cliffs. 

The  various  Committees  are  now  in  the  active  discharge  of  their 
duties,  and  from  present  indications,  the  occasion  will  be  an  honor  to 
the  descendants  of  the  intelligent,  virtuous,  and  noble  men  who 
planted  the  town,  and  who,  in  their  characters,  have  left  to  their 
descendants  a  priceless  legacy. 


Come,  then,  our  "  latch-strings  are  out,"  our  hands  are  extended  to 
greet  you,,  and  around  our  hearth-stones  the  "  old  arm-chairs "  are 
waiting  for  the  absent. 

Very  respectfully  yours. 

To  this  circular  were  attached  the  names  of  the  Committee 
of  Invitation,  printed  above,  and  one  other,  which  was  subsequently 
omitted  for  cause. 

It  had,  from  the  beginning,  been  the  earnest  desire  of  every  mem- 
ber of  the  General  Committee  so  to  ai'range  the  parts  and  apportion 
the  duties  necessarily  arising  out  of  the  celebration,  that  their  action 
would  meet  the  hearty  approval  and  cordial  co-operation  of  all  inter- 
ested in  the  objects  of  the  occasion.  This  was  frequently  a  matter 
of  consultation  in  the  casual  meetings  of  the  Committee.  Not  a  word  to 
the  contrary  was  ever  heard.  It  was  in  this  spirit,  with  this  view, 
after  full  consultation  in  the  first  regular  meeting  of  all  the  members  of 
the  General  Committee  of  Woodbury,  which,  for  this  purpose,  had  been 
invested  with  the  full  powers  of  the  General  Committee,  that  the 
following  action  and  correspondence  took  place,  viz  : 

Woodbury,  25th  March,  1859. 
Rev.  J.  Churchill, 

Dear  Sir : — The  General  Committee  were  together  to-day,  ari*ang- 
ing  a  little  for  the  celebration  next  July,  and  were  desirous  of  getting 
some  one  to  make  a  little  opening  speech,  on  the  first  day  of  the 
celebration,  after  the  prayer,  and  before  the  other  exercises,  "  Wel- 
coming back  the  sons  of  Woodbury,  who  return  to  join  us  in  the 
anniversary."  We  also  wish  some  Clergyman  to  speak  in  reply  to 
the  Sentiment — "  The  early  Clergy  of  Ancient  Woodbury."  It  is 
proposed  that  these  parts  be  each  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  in  length, 
and  we  desire,  thus  eai'ly,  to  secure  persons  to  take  them,  as  whoever 
accepts  them  would  require  some  time  for  a  preparation  satisfactory 
to  himself 

It  is  our  desire  that  you  would  take  one  of  these  parts,  and  the 
one  you  would  prefer.  Rev.  Mr.  Bacon  and  Mr.  Trowbridge  heartily 
join  me  in  inviting  and  urging  you  to  do  this. 

We  are  receiving  letters  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  from  the  sons 
of  Woodbury,  who  have  gone  out  from  us,  expressing  the  greatest 
interest  in  the  proposed  celebration,  and  promising  to  attend.  We 
believe  that,  with  a  little  earnest  effort  on  our  part,  it  will  be  an  oc- 
casion we  shall  long  remember  with  pleasure. 


8 

Please  write  me  a  line  soon,  stating  whether  you  will  join  us  in 
the  exercises  as  proposed. 

Yours  truly, 

W.   COTHREN. 

Mr.  Churchill's   Reply. 

Mr.  Cothren — My  Dear  Sir — I  received  your  letter  of  the 
25th  inst.,  on  Saturday  afternoon.  In  reply  to  it,  I  would  say,  that 
it  would  have  been  agreeable  to  me  to  have  participated,  not  in  any 
public  services,  but  in  such  other  ways  as  I  might,  in  order  to  make 
the  occasion  to  wliich  you  refer  interesting  and  profitable.  Tlie  oc- 
casion is  one,  wliich  for  some  three  or  four  years  past,  I  have  often 
contemplated,  and  conversed  upon  with  different  individuals  in  the 
Town  with  interest.  But  no  matter  for  this  now.  As  the  programme 
is  widely  before  the  public,  and  the  Gen'l  Committee  have  pre- 
pared &  sent  it  out  with  the  Invitation,  over  the  signatures  of 
another  committee  expressly  appointed  for  that  purpose,  it  w'ld  to 
the  community  at  large  seem  at  least  much  like  an  afterthought  now 
to  add  two  addresses  to  the  occasion.  Not  only  so,  but  your  note 
gives  me  to  understand  that  these  additional  matters  are  proposed  by 
the  General  Committee  for  Woodbury,  whereas,  I  had  supposed  the 
Gen'l  Com.  for  Ancient  Woodbury  consisting  of  two  from  each 
Town  to  be  the  proper  authority  to  make  the  arrangements.  It 
would  be  very  far  from  my  wish  to  speak  or  to  have  any  public  duty 
on  that  occasion,  &  I  must  respectfully  decline  your  invitation. 

Very  respectfully, 

.INO.  CHURCHILL. 

Woodbury,  March  28,  1859. 

On  the  16th  of  April,  the  Committee  had  another  meeting,  and 
made  appointments  for  the  exercises  of  the  second  day  of  the  cele- 
bration, including  the  parts  refused  by  Mr.  Churchill,  he  having  been 
the  first  man  applied  to  after  Mr.  Sherman  was  appointed  to  preach 
the  sermon.  These  appointees,  with  the  exception  of  three,  who  were 
unable  to  fulfill  on  account  of  sickness  in  their  families,  were  the  same 
as  appeared  on  the  final  order  of  exercises,  which  was  as  follows,  viz  : 

AVOODBURY    SECOND    CENTENNIAL    CELEBRATION. 

There  will  be  a  Historical  Celebration  of  the  Second  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  the  first  Exploration  of  the  Town,  and  the  reception 
of  the  first  Indian  Deed,  at  Woodbury,  on  the  4th  and  5th  days  of 
July,  A.  D.  1859,  commencing  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 


ORDER  OF  EXERCISES. 
First  Day. 

Antique  Procession,  escorted  by  the  Band  and  Roxbiiry  (niards. 
Ode,  by  tlie  Clioir — tune,  "  Bruce's  Address." 
Prayer,  by  Rev.  R.  G.  Williams,  of  Woodbury. 
Short   Introductory    Address,    "Welcoming  the    emigrants    from 
Woodbury  home  again,"  by  Nathaniel  Smith,  of  Woodbury. 
Music  by  the  Band. 

Historical  Address,  by  William  Gothren,  of  Woodbui-y. 
Music  by  the  Band. 

Recess  of  one  Hour  for  Refreshments. 

Music  by  the  Band. 

Song— "The  Pilgrim  Fatliers,"  by  6.  S.  Minor. 
Poem,  by  William  Thompson  Bacon,  of  Woodbury. 
Ode,  by  the  Choir — tune,  "  Auld  Lang  Syne." 
Benediction,  by  Rev,  Thomas  L.  Shipman,  of  .Tevvett  City. 

SECOND  MORNING,— 8  o'clock. 
pRAY&R  Meeting  at  Bethel  Rock. 

SECOND  DAY,— 10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Music  by  the  Band. 
Centennial  Hymn. 

Prayer,  by  Re^'.  Friend  W.  Smith,  of  Woodbury. 
Hymn. 

Sermon,  by  Rev.  Henry  Beers  Sherman,  of  Belleville,  N.  J. 
Hymn. 

Speech: — "The  early   Clergy  of  Ancient   Woodbury,"  by    Rev. 
Anson  S.  Atwood,  of  Mansfield,  Conn. 

One  Hotir  for  Refreshments. 

Music  by  the  Band. 

Ode,  by  the  Choir — tune,  "  Sxoeet  Home." 

Speech: — "The  early  Lawyers  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  Hon. 
Seth  P.  Beers,  of  Litchfield. 

Music  by  the  Band. 

Speech: — "The  early  Physicians  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  David 
B.  W.  Hard,  M.  D.,  of  Bethlem. 

Music  by  the  Band. 
2 


10 

Speech  : — "  The  Founders  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  Hon.  Wil- 
liam T.  Minor,  of  Stamford. 

Ode,  by  the  Choir — tune,  "  America" 

Speech  : — "  The  early  Schools  of  Ancient  Woodbuiy,"  by  T.  M. 
Thompson,  Esq.,  of  Woodbury. 

Speech  ; — "  Grand-children  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  Hon.  Chas. 
Chapman,  of  Hartford. 

Speech  , — "  The  Cousins  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  Hon.  Henry 
Button,  of  New  Haven. 

Volunteer  Speeches,  by  distinguished  sons  of  Ancient  Woodbury, 
from  abroad. 

Reading  of  Letters  and  Odes  prepared  for  the  occasion. 

Concluding  Prayer,  by  Rev.  C  T.  Woodruff,  of  Woodbury. 

Benediction,  by  Rev.  Philq  Judson,  of  Rocky  Hill. 

Hon.  Nathaniel  B.  Smith,  President  of  the  Day. 

Hon.  D.  B.  Brinsmade,  of  Washington,  ] 

"      Joshua  Bird,  of  Bethlem,  I 

S.  W.  Baldwin,  Esq.,  of  Roxbury,  ^r-       -n, 

^^.    ,    J  ^  n  c      ,,  )■  V'i<^^   Presidmts. 

Cyrus  Mitchell,  Esq.,  of  Southbury,        ' 

Nathaniel  Walker,  Esq.,  of  Oxford, 

Leonard  Bronson,  Esq.,  of  Middlebury, 

Henry  Minor,   Chief  Marshal. 
Assistant  Marshals : 

R.  I.  ToUes,  Elijah  D.  Judson, 

George  Camp,  Elisha  P.  Tomlinson, 

Robert  Peck,  James  Stone, 

Benjamin  Doolittle,  Truman  S.  Minor, 

W.  C.  McKay,  George  P.  Crane, 

George  Saxton,  James  H.  Minor. 

Three  other  Committees  were  appointed  at  the  same  time  with  the 
Committee  of  Invitation,  viz  : 

Committee  on  Antique  Procession,  Encampment,  etc. 

Woodbury — Nathaniel  Smith,  S.  F.  Peck,  J.  G.  Curtiss,  S.  Hurd, 
H.  W.  Shove,  Rev.  R.  G.  Williams,  Rev.  C.  P.  Woodruff. 
Southhury — T.  B.  Wheeler,  A.  B.  Downs. 
Roxhury — Capt.  L.  Judd. 
Bethlem— n.  W.  Peck. 


11 

Washington — D.  G.  Piatt,  Russell  W.  Frisbie. 
Oxford—^.  J.  Wilcoxson,  N.  Walker. 
Middlebury — Frank.  Benham. 

Finance  Committee. 

Woodbury — Henry  Minor,  George  P.  Allen,  Charles  W.  Kirtlaud, 
George  Saxton. 

Washington — Russell  W.  Frisbie,  Simeon  D.  Piatt,  George  C. 
Cogswell. 

Roxhinj~¥.  J.  Fenn,  C.  E.  Prindle,  C.  Lewis,  F.  W.  Lathroi). 

Southhury — Col.  C.  Hicoek,  C.  Whitlock. 

Bethlem — Dr.  H.  Davis. 

Oxford — Nathaniel  Walker,  Dr.  L.  Barnes. 

Wm.  E.  WoodrutF,  AVoodbury,  Treasurer. 

Committee  on  Antiquarian  Portrait  Gallery. 

C.  B.  Crafts,  Wm.  Hicock,  Joshua  Bird,  B.  H.  Preston,  F.  W. 
Gunn,  and  the  members  of  the  Committee  of  Invitation. 

On  the  25th  of  April,  1859,  the  General  Committee  of  Woodbury 
appointed  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  and  the  Committee  on 
the  Pic-nic,  as  will  be  seen  below,  and  subsequently  the  General 
Committees  of  the  other  towns  appointed  similar  Committees  for  their 
several  localities,  viz  : 

General  Committee  of  Arrangements  and  Reception. 
WOODBURY. 

N.  B.  Smith,  G.  P.  Allen, 

Walter  P.  Marshall,  H.  Minor, 

John  P.  DeForest,  Calvin  H.  Downs, 

Dr.  C.  H.  Webb,  G.  Piatt  Crane, 

Wm.  E.  Woodruff,  E.  D.  Judson, 

James  G.  Curtiss,  L.  G.  AtAvood, 

Daniel  S.  Lemon,  Truman  S.  Minor, 

Ehsha  P.  Tomlinson,  James  Stone, 

D.  Chauncey  Somers,  F.  Orton, 

J.  Knight  Bacon,  D.  S.  Bull, 

T.  Bull,  Enos  Benham, 

Nathaniel  Smith,  John  A.  Boughton, 

Rev.  R.  G.  Williams,  W.  S.  Curtiss, 

R.  I.  Tolles,  P.  A.  Judson, 


12 


James  Huntington, 

S.  Chapin, 

S.  Clark, 

L.  B.  Candee, 

B.  Doolittle, 

Sidney  Hurd, 

J.  Parker, 

General  Committee  of  Ar 

Mrs.  N.  B.  Smith, 

*'  Wm.  T.  Bacon, 

"  R.  G.  Williams, 

"  F.  W.  Smith, 

''  C.  T.  WoodruflP, 

"  L.  B.  Candee, 

"  Jason  Parker, 

"  W.  E.  Woodruff, 

"  T.  W.  Walker, 

"  W.  Cotlu-en, 

"  E.  J.  M.  Benham, 

"  T.  M.  Thompson, 

"  A.  Gordon, 

"  G.  H.  Atwood, 

"  A.  Candee, 

"  H.  S.  Crane, 

"  T.  Minor, 

"  Loren  Forbes, 

"  J.  P.  Marshall, 

"  T.  Bull, 

"  C.  A.  Somers, 

'•  J.  F.  Walker, 

'•  P.  M.  Trowbridge, 

"  H.  C.  Baldwin, 

"  D.  Curtiss, 

"  H.  Minor, 

"  T.  Judson, 

"  A.  Birch, 

,"  B.  S.  Russell, 

«  L.  G.  Atwood, 

"  R.  Partree, 

"  B.  A.  Sherman, 


J.  W.  Rogers, 

B.  A.  vSherman, 

F.  A.  Smith, 

T.  M.  Thompson, 

J.  F.  Walker, 

H.  Tomlinson, 

Rev.  C.T.  Woodruff. 

rangements  on  the  Antiquarian  Pie-Nic. 

Mrs.  S.  Minor, 

"  B.  M.  Stowe, 

"  Barlow  Russell, 

"  Fred.  Bolton, 

"  S.  Clark, 

«  H.  S.  Curtiss, 

"  N.  Smith, 

"  C.  H.  Webb, 

"  C.  Betts, 

"  G.  Lathrop, 

"  E.  Parker, 

«  D.  C.  Somers, 

"  G.  P.  Allen, 

'"  C.  P.  Strong, 

"  J.  P.  DeForest, 
Miss  Julia  P.  Marshall, 

"  Helen  O.  Atwood, 

"  Julia  A.  Bull, 

"  Rebecca  T.  Bacon, 

"  Cornelia  Betts, 

"  Cornelia  J.  Betts, 

"  Emma  F.  Betts, 

''  Sophia  E.  Benedict, 

"  Emily  A.  Curtiss, 

"  Sarah  P.  Clark, 

"  Maria  J.  Cogswell, 

"  Lucy  A.  DeForest, 

"  Julia  E.  Downs, 

•'  Sally  R.  Hotchkiss, 

"  M.  J.  Hitchcock, 

"  C.  Lambert, 

"  Harriet  E.  Judson, 


10 
O 


Miss  Mary  Minor, 

"  Amanda  E.  Phelps, 

"  S.  Maria  Phelps, 

"  Mary  J.  Parker, 

"  Helen  Parker, 

"  Susan  E.  Pierce, 

"  Wealthy  A.  Root, 


Miss  Cornelia  M.  Smith, 
"     F.  C.  Trowbridge, 
"     Maria  B.  Walker, 
"     C.  L.  Webb, 
"     Clara  C.  Vaill, 
"     Edna  E.  Russell. 


Orestus  Hickox, 
T.  A.  Bryan, 
Turney  Odell, 
Henry  Seeley, 
Charles  Hickox, 
B.  P.  Beach, 
Sherman  Woodrufi". 
S.  A.  Baker, 
Sherman  Hartwell, 
Herman  Baldwin, 
R.  S.  Leavitt, 
T.  F.  Brinsmade, 
F.  N.  Galpin, 
T.  H.  Woodruii; 
E.  Hurlbut, 
Seth  liollister, 
J.  B.  Newton, 
Treat  Nettleton, 
Henry  Nettleton, 
E.  J.  Pond, 


WASHINGTON. 

Gregory  Seeley, 
Col.  I.  Hickox, 
Daniel  Frisbie, 
Wm.  C.  Bronson, 
C.  L.  Ford, 
R.  W.  Ford, 
Augustus  Smith, 
Sheldon  Logan, 
Seth  S.  Logan, 
John  Fenn, 
C.  Allen, 
Sherman  Titus, 
Samuel  Burgess, 
Stephen  Morehouse, 
Albert  Sterling, 
Dea.  David  Punderson. 
Dea.  S.  S.  Baldwin, 
A.  W.  Mitchel, 
•J.  Kinney. 


Mrs.  Rev.  E.  H.  Lyman, 

"  Dr.  R.  M.  Fowler, 

"  F.  W.  Gunn, 

«  C.  L.  Ford, 

«  S.  S.  Logan, 

''  R.  W.  Frisbie, 

"  S.  Frisbie, 

"  S.  A.  Baker, 

"  T.  A.  Bryan, 

"  F.  A.  Frisbie, 


Ladies''  Pic-Nic   Committee.  ■ 

Mrs.  F.  N.  Galpin, 
«     S.  W.  Ford, 
"     E.  Seeley, 


Dr.  J.  Richards, 
R.  S.  Leavitt, 
N.  Gibson, 
A.  Gibson, 
E.  Hurlbut, 
C.  Leeland, 
H.  Morehouse, 


14 


Mrs.  F.  Newton, 
G.  Baldwin, 

"     C.  Mason, 

"     S.  H.  Calhoun, 

"     J.  Kinney, 
Miss  Mary  M.  Brinsmade, 

"     Harriet  Fowler, 

"     Mary  Kinney, 

"     Sarah  Hubbell, 

"     Eliza  Mitchel, 

"     Susan  Bronson, 

"     Abba  Vail, 

"     Lydia  Parish, 


Miss  Kezia  Farrand, 

"  Amanda  Logan, 

"  Celia  Nettleton, 

"  Isabelle  Ford, 

"  Annie  Bryan, 

"  Fanny  Smith, 

"  Sila  Frisbie, 

"  Elizabeth  Seeley, 

"  Eliza  Odell, 

"  Ellen  Hickox, 

"  Lora  Hollister, 

"  Eleanor  Frisbie, 

"  Frances  Ludington. 


NEW  PRESTON. 


I.  D.  Patterson, 
Daniel  Burnham, 
Walter  D.  Sperry, 
Walter  Burnham, 
Isaac  Brown, 
Wm.  C.  Woostei-, 
G.  C.  Whittlesey, 
Hiram  C.  Bennett, 
George  W.  Cogswell, 
Medad  Goodsell, 
J.  E.  Whittlesey, 


Fred.  Whittlesey, 
A,  C.  Lemmon, 
David  E.  Meeker, 
S.  W.  Meeker, 
Sherman  P.  Camp, 
James  Barton, 
Elisha  A.  Whittlesey, 
John  M.  Ford, 
Levi  Morehouse, 
Sheldon  Wheaton, 
Jerome  Edwards. 


Ladies'  Pic-Nic   Committt 


Mrs. 


Miss 
Mrs. 


Daniel  Burnham, 

Walter  D.  Sperry, 

Walter  Burnham, 

Isaac  Brown, 

G.  C.  Whittlesey, 

Ruth  A.  Bennett, 

Geo.  W.  Cogswell, 

Medad  Goodsell, 

S.  Augusta  Whittlesey, 

A.  C.  Lemmon, 

David  E.  Meeker, 


Mrs.  S.  W.  Meeker, 
Miss  Mary  E.  Bennett, 
Mrs.  James  Barton, 
Miss  Sarah  Camp, 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Whittlesey, 

"     John  M.  Ford, 
Miss  Ellen  Wheaton, 

"     Minerva  Wheaton, 
Mrs.  Augusta  Scott, 
Miss  Helen  Brown. 


15 


SOUTHBURY. 

T.  B.  Wheeler, 

C.  Whitlock, 

D.  P.  Whitlock, 

C.  Hicock, 

H.  D.  Monson, 

C.  N.  Hall, 

W.  C.  Beecher, 

H.  W.  Scott,  Jr., 

S.  G.  Goodrich,    - 

G.  W.  Smith. 

Ladi 

es'  Pic-Nic   Committee. 

Mrs.  S.  B.  Whitlock, 

Mrs.  C.  Oatman, 

"     N.  C.  Monson, 

"     E.  Wheeler, 

«     H.  B.  Stiles, 

"     R.  G.  Curtiss, 

"     F.  Stiles, 

"     H.  Brown, 

"     L.  Smith, 

"     W.  C.  Beecher, 

"     b.  R.  Hinman, 

Miss  E.  P.  Whitlock, 

"     C,  S.  Hinman, 

"     M.  A.  Ronaldson, 

"     C.  Hinman, 

"     Helen  E.  Hinman, 

«     C.  A.  Brown, 

"     Ann  Hinman, 

"     H.  W.  Scott, 

"     A.  F.  Stiles, 

"     C.  H.  Hall, 

"     M.  E.  Monson, 

"     E.  Pulford, 

"     Jennie  Stiles, 

"     E.  Hine, 

"     Sarah  L.  Smith, 

"     S.  G.  Goodrich, 

"     Julia  Lum, 

«     H.  C.  Hayes, 

"     Mary  E.  Mitchel, 

"     A.  H.  Shelton, 

"     Augusta  Stiles, 

•'     J.  W.  Bradley, 

"     Mary  Hicock, 

"     J.  T.  Munn, 

"     Laura  Hicock. 

SOUTH    BRITAIN. 


Rev.  A.  E.  Lawrence, 
George  Smith, 
Oliver  Mitchell, 
Marshall  S.  Clark, 
Samuel  L.  Tuttle, 
James  F.  Hinman, 
George  A.  Hoyt, 
Calvin  Lines, 
Elliot  B.  Bradley, 
Samuel  W.  Post, 


John  Pierce, 
Perry  Averill, 
Reuben  Pierce, 
Noah  B.  Tuttle, 
Henry  W.  Guthrie, 
Charles  B.  Smith, 
David  F.  Pierce, 
Samuel  J.  Stoddard, 
Nelson  W.  Mitchell. 


16 


Ladies'  Pic-Nic  Committee. 


Mrs.  A.  E.  Lawrence, 

"  George  Smith, 

"  Oliver  Mitchell, 

"  M.  S.  Clark, 

«  S.  F.  Tuttle, 

"  E.  B.  Bradley, 

"  N.  W.  Mitchell, 

"  Emeline  Canfield, 

"  Eliza  Smith, 

"  N.  B.  Tuttle, 

«  G.  A.  Hoyt, 

"  Charles  Allen, 

"  N.  C.  Baldwin, 


Mrs.  S.  D.  Garlick, 

Miss  Nancy  Mitchell, 

"  Harriet  Canfield, 

"  L.  A.  Treat, 

"  Anna  Bradley, 

"  Sarah  E.  Smith, 

"  Anna  Judd, 

"  Hannah  A.  Bradley, 

''  Laura  A.  Mitchell, 

"  EHzabeth  Downes, 

"  Sarah  Allen, 

"  May  Downes, 

"  E.  M.  Averill. 


James  Thompson, 
Samuel  L.  Bloss, 
C.  C.  Parmelee, 


BETHLEM. 


Theodore  Bird, 
William  A.  Hayes 
B.  T.  Lake,  2d. 


Ladies'  Pic-Nic   Committee. 


Mrs.  M.  S.  Todd, 

"  R.  C.  Armstrong, 

«  L.  P.  Judd, 

"  E.  L.  Thompson, 

"  E.  J.  Hubbard, 

"'  S.  L.  Munson, 

"  John  Towne, 

"  Mariah  Humphrey, 


Mrs.  H.  Davis, 

"     Theodore  Bird, 
''     E.  Riggs, 
Miss  Margarett  Kasson, 
"     Carrie  Thompson, 
*'     Carrie  Morriss, 
"     Immogene  Bird, 
"     Bernice  Skidmore. 


ROXBURY 


Col.  P.  N.  Hodge, 
B.  S.  Preston, 
Nathan  R.  Smith, 
A.  T.  Barnes, 
Charles  Beardsley, 


F.  AV.  Lathrop, 
S.  H.  Addis, 
IL  B.  Eastman, 
Rev.  Austin  Isham, 
A.  W.  Fenn. 


17 


Ladies^  Pic-Nic   Committee. 

Mrs.  Aaron  W.  Fenn,  Mrs.  Austin  D.  Burritt, 
"     Orrin  B.  Seward,  "     Andrew  Weller, 

"     Mark  T.  Hatch,  "     S.  W.  Baldwin, 

"     Henry  H.  Fenn,  "     Erastus  Castle, 

"     Austin  Isliam,  "     Albert  L.  Hodge. 


Nathaniel  "Walker, 
Di'.  Lewis  Barnes, 
Joel  Osboi'n, 
Alfred  Harger, 
Dr.  Geo.  A.  Tomlinson, 
John  E,.  Davis, 
Milo  D.  Northrop, 
Sterne  Candee, 
Benjamin  Nichols, 
Virgil  H.  McEwen, 

Ladies' 

Mrs.  Nathaniel  Walker, 
"     Alfred  Harger, 
"     John  R.  Davis, 
"     Nicholas  D.  Hinman, 
"     Lewis  B.  Perkins, 

Miss  Josephine  Flagg, 
"     Anna  C.  Fairchild, 
"     Julia  A.  Fairchild, 
"     Jane  McEwen, 

Mrs.  Joel  Osborn, 
"     Benjamin  Nichols, 
"     Milo  D.  Northrop, 
"     David  C.  Riggs, 

Miss  Antoinett  Tomlinson, 


OXFORD. 

Nicholas  D.  Hinman, 
Charles  T.  Walker, 
O.  C.  Buckingham, 
David  C.  Riggs, 
Horace  E.  Tomlinson, 
Samuel  P.  Sanford, 
Homer  Riggs, 
Eben  G.  Wheeler, 
Lewis  B.  Perkins. 

Pic-Nic   Committee. 

Miss  Fannie  A.  Wilcoxson, 
"     Harriet  C.  Chatfield, 
"     Lucy  A.  Perkins, 
"     Bernice  Riggs, 
Mrs.  Horace  E.  Tomlinson, 
Miss  Jane  L.  Buckingham, 
"     Sarah  J.  Topliff, 
"     Josephine  Candee, 
"     Mary  L.  Davis, 
"     A.  Elvira  Buckingham, 
"     Mary  E.  Buckingham, 
Mrs.  Orrin  C.  Buckingham, 
Miss  Elizabeth  Hudson, 
"     Elsie  Williams. 


James  Tyler, 
Julius  Bronson, 
Silas  Tuttle, 

3 


MIDDLEBURY 


Erastus  S.  Curtiss, 
John  S.  Way, 
Franklin  Piatt, 


18 

Franklin  Benham,  Stiles  F.  Munson, 

Ebenezer  Smith,  Henry  W.  Newton, 

Whitfield  Upson,  William  Tyler. 

Ladies'  Pic-Nic   Committee. 

Mrs.  William  Tyler,  Miss  Ellen  Bronson, 

"     Franklin  Benliam,  "  Julia  Tuttle, 

"     F.  Hine,  "  Harriet  Curtiss, 

"     E.  Smith,  "  Mary  C.  Hine, 

"     W.  Upson,  "  Elizabeth  Piatt, 

"     S.  F.  Munson,  "  Martha  Newton, 

"     J.  S.  Way,  "  Helen  Townsend. 

Miss  Mary  Tyler, 

The  following  action,  which  was  decided  upon  in  April,  1859,  will 
explain  itself,  viz  : 

i  he  Indian  Deed  given  to  the  founders  of  Woodbury,  in  1659, 
granted 

1^""^  parcell  of  Land,  hounded  as  follow etli ;  Potateuk  River 
Southwest ;  Naugatunch  River  northeast ;  and  bounded  on  ye  north- 
west with  trees  marked  hy  me  and  other  Indians." 

Potateuk  river  was  the  Housatonic,  and  the  "marked  trees"  ex- 
tended across  South  Farms  west  to  the  Housatonic  river.  All  north 
of  Derby  then  to  this  line  was  included  in  this  deed,  including  Ancient 
Waterbury  west  of  the  Naugatuck,  part  of  Litchfield  and  New  Mil- 
ford.  The  committee,  therefore,  considering  these  towns  and  the  towns 
formed  out  of  them,  to  be  of  near  consanguinity  to  us : 

Voted:  "  To  invite  our  cousins,  the  towns  of  Waterbury,  Naugatuck, 
Seymour,  Watertown,  Plymouth,  Litchfield,  New  Milford  and  Bridge- 
water,  to  unite  with  us  in  our  appi'oaching  Centennial  Anniversary." 

A  committee  appointed  by  the  citizens  of  Woodbury,  changed  the 
place  for  the  exercises  selected  by  the  vote  passed  a  year  ago  on 
Orenaug  Rocks,  and  secured  the  field  of  Mr.  T.  M.  Thompson, 
directly  east  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Woodbury.  It 
was  an  exceedingly  fine  location  for  the  celebration.  The  large  tent 
of  Yale  College  was  procured  and  supplied  with  seats,  speakers' 
stand,  &c.,  and  the  still  larger  tent  belonging  to  the  Litchfield  County 
Agricultural  Society,  was  pi^ocured  for  the  Pic-Nic  provided  by  the 
Woodbury  Ladies.  A  large  tent  was  also  provided  for  invited  guests, 
besides  a  table  set  out  under  the  apple  trees,  loaded  with  the  various 


19 

articles  of  the  Antiquarian  Pic-Nic  proper,  such  as  bean  porridge, 
baked  beans  and  pork,  Indian  pudding,  &c..  served  up  in  the  okl  style, 
in  old  pewter  and  wooden  platters,  with  old  pewter  spoons,  and  otlnu- 
antique  articles  to  match.  Besides  these,  the  General  Couiniittee  fur- 
nished a  tent  for  each  of  the  other  towns  in  which  to  hold  their  Pic-Nic, 
except  Washington,  which  chose  to  furnish  its  own  tent-cloth. 

On  the  first  morning  of  the  celebration,  the   Chief  Marshal,  Hen- 
ry Minor,  Esq.,  made  out  the  order  of  procession,  as  follows,  viz: 
A  single  Fifer  and  Drummer. 
Antique  Procession. 

Masons. 

New  Milford  Band. 

Warner  Light  Guards. 

President  of  the  day. 

Vice-Presidents. 

Orators  of  the  day  and  Poet. 

Clergy. 

The  vai'ious  Committees  of  Arrangements. 

Emigrant  Sons,  &c.,  of  the  Territory. 

Citizens  at  large. 

The  Chief  Marshal  vvore  the  Revolutionary  military  undress  of  a 
Major-General,  and  Dr.  Davis,  of  Bethlem,  wore  a  military  suit  worn 
by  Col.  Bellamy  in  the  war  of  1812. 

A  cloudless  sun  rose  over  the  fair  valley  of  Woodbury,  on  the 
morning  of  the  fourth,  and  the  weather  was  cool  and  most  delightful. 

The  day  was  ushered  in  by  the  booming  of  cannon  and  the  ringing 
of  bells,  in  the  various  parts  of  the  town,  in  the  most  spirited  and  joy- 
ous manner.  At  an  ear'y  hour,  the  people  began  to  fill  the  town, 
and  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  streets  were  almost  impassable.  The 
people  of  Washington  came  under  the  direction  of  Sherman  Ilart- 
well  as  Marshal,  in  a  procession  of  more  than  a  mile  in  length,  escorted 
by  the  New  Milford  Band.  In  it  were  one  six-horse  team,  loaded 
with  fifty  persons,  ten  four-horse  teams,  sixty  two-horse  teams,  and 
fifty  one-horse  teams,  with  flags,  banners,  and  some  antique  costumes. 
Much  credit  is  due  to  Russell  W.  Frisbie,  and  Thomas  F.  Brinsmade, 
for  this  fine  turn  out.  Roxbury  came  out  in  her  ancient  strength. 
Her  procession  consisted  of  217  teams,  under  the  direction  of  Col. 
Philo  N.  Hodge,  as  Marshal.  This  pi'ocession  was  rich  in  antique 
display,  and  contained  several  things  worthy  of  special  mention. 
Among  them  was  a  cart,  bearing  for  a  motto,  "  Days  of  Homespun," 
drawn  by  six  yokes  of  oxen,  the  team  of  Ira  Bradley,  containing  a 


20 

flax-bleaker,  lietehell,  flax  cards,  double  flax  spinning  wheel,  and  quill 
wheel,  all  in  operation,  worked  by  ladies  in  antique  costumes.  The 
driver  was  Le  Roy  Bradley  in  corresponding  dress.  Another  wagon 
bore  John  A  Squire,  of  Roxbury,  and  twenty-two  of  his  grand-chil- 
dren, while  another  still  loaded  with  people  in  antique  dress,  bore  a  flag 
with  the  motto,  "  Times  and  Seasons  continue — Manners  and  Cus- 
toms change."  This  section  was  escorted  by  the  Warner  Light 
Guards  of  Roxbury,  in  a  new  and  elegant  uniform,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Capt  Lewis  Judd,  who  performed  escort  and  sentinel  duty 
during  both  days,  and  by  the  excellence  of  their  military  evolutions, 
the  strictness  of  their  discipline,  and  the  gallantry  of  their  bearing, 
might  be  favorably  compared  with  many  a  veteran  company,  which 
had  seen  years  of  drilling.  Southbury,  also,  turned  out  more  than 
100  teams,  under  Charles  Whitlock,  as  Marshal.  All  the  other  towns 
came  with  very  creditable  processions,  besides  the  numerous  convey- 
ances crowded  with  people,  who  did  not  join  any  procession. 

After  the  several  delegations  had  arrived,  the  General  "  Antique  Pro- 
cession "was  formed  at  about  11,  A.  M.,  on  the  green  in  front  of 
Hon.  N.  B.  Smith's  dwelling  house,  at  the  location  of  the  First 
Meeting  House  in  the  town.  Under  the  effective  arrangements 
made  by  N.  Smith,  Esq.,  and  H.  W,  Shove,  M.  D.,  aided  by  Rev. 
Messrs.  R.  G.  Williams  and  C.  T.  Woodruff,  it  became  the  marked 
feature  of  the  occasion.  It  extended,  while  on  its  march  towards  the 
grounds,  at  least  an  eighth  of  a  mile  in  length,  exhibiting  all  the 
varying  costumes  of  the  last  two  hundred  years.  It  was  headed  by 
an  ancient  drummer  and  fifer.  Next  came  the  clergy  of  the  several 
towns,  in  bands  and  gowns,  the  clerical  costume  of  clergymen  of  all 
denominations,  less  than  two  centuries  ago.  Among  the  clergy,  Rev.  R. 
G-  Williams  was  particularly  noticeable  for  the  perfection  of  detail  in 
his  costume.  Then  came  the  Puritan  costumes  of  two  hundred  years 
ago,  worn  by  the  Minors,  the  Judsons,the  Curtises,  the  Stiles,  lineal  de- 
scendants of  the  early  settlers  of  Woodbury,  succeeded  and  contrasted 
by  ladies  and  gentlemen  in  the  cavalier  costumes  of  the  same  period. 
Some  of  these  costumes  were  magnificent,  and  all  atti'acted  much  atten- 
tion. Succeeding  the  couples  on  foot,  came  others  on  horseback,  the  la- 
dies on  pillions.  One  couple  attracted  particular  attention.  They  were 
Capt.  Judson  Hurd,  aged  85  years,  and  Mrs.  Harvey  Atwood,  aged 
72,  both  dressed  in  ancient  costume,  and  riding  a  horse  thirty  years 
old.  Then  followed  old  chaises  with  couples  clothed  in  the  quaint  fash- 
ion of  other  days.  And  here  it  should  be  noticed,  that  some  of  these 
antique  costumes  and  dresses  were  bonajide  relics  of  the  olden  times, 
descended  as  heir-looms  from  father  to  son.     Nothing  could  be  more 


21 

curious  than  this  procession  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  ;  the  latter  gal- 
lanting the  former  in  all  the  styles,  from  that  of  two  centuries  ago, 
down  to  the  present  time,  the  former  displaying  huge  bonnets,  high 
head-dresses,  and  gowns  ranging  in  size  from  three  breadths  in  a 
skirt  to  the  ample  dimensions  of  modern  crinoline.  The  Masons  and 
the  general  procession  followed  the  antique,  making  a  very  imposing 
display.  If  the  various  processions  as  they  entered  the  town,  had 
been  extended  in  one  line,  they  would  have  reached  the  distance  of 
three  miles.  Nothing  in  the  whole  course  of  the  day's  proceedings 
excited  such  general  curiosity,  conferred  so  much  real  pleasure,  or 
gave  so  clear  an  insight  into  the  past. 

The  procession  moved  directly  to  the  speaker's  stand,  arriving  there 
about  half-past  11  A.  M.  The  assemblage  was,  in  all  probability, 
the  largest  ever  gathered  together  in  Litchfield  county,  and  far  the 
greatest  ever  convened  in  the  state  on  a  similar  occasion,  numbering 
not  less  than  fifteen  thousand  persons.  Not  less  than  five  thousand 
of  these  were  within  hearing  distance  of  the  speaker's  stand,  part 
of  them  within,  but  more  without  the  tent,  which  was  open  on  all 
sides.  The  most  effective  arrangements  had  been  made  by  the  Chief 
Marshal  for  the  preservation  of  order,  and  to  his  tact,  and  the  aid  of 
his  excellent  assistants,  great  credit  is  due.  Everything  was  under 
perfect  control.  This  vast  multitude  observed  the  strictest  order,  and 
there  was  no  accident  of  any  kind  to  mar  the  pleasure  of  the  festive 
occasion. 

The  exercises  of  the  day  at  the  stand  where  Plon.  N.  B.  Smith 
presided  in  his  dignified  and  excellent  manner,  were  opened  by  the 
choir's  singing  to  the  air  of  "  Bruce's  Address,"  the 

ODE   OF  INVOCATION. 

BY    WILLIAM    COTHREN. 

Spirit  of  our  sainted  dead, 
Heroes  to  these  valleys  led, 
Sages  of  the   hoary  head, 

Kindly  o'er  us  bend; 
Smile  upon  this  classic  hour, 
To  us  children,  give  your  power, 
•  In  this  consecrated  bower, 

Us  your  glory  lend. 

Pioneers  of  Pomperaug, 
Dwellers  near  the  Quassapaug, 
By  meandering  Nonnewaug, 

Hasten  ye  along  ; 
Brothers  near  the  Weraumaug, 
By  the  clitTs  of  Orenaug, 
By  the  falls  of  old  Shepaug, 

Help  to  swell  our  song. 


22 

From  the  pines  on  Bnntam's  shore. 
Softly  whispeiinj^  evermore, 
Weekeepeemee's  verdant  shore, 

And  from  Potatuck, 
Come  wo  with  our  olTerlngs, 
All  our  dear  and  holy  things, 
From  each  side  the  chorus  rings, 

E'en  from  Naugatuck. 

Here  we  come  with  earnest  zeal, 
Mindful  of  our  ancient  weal, 
Memories  bright  to  us  appeal. 

On  this  glorious  day  ; 
Here  where  Freedom's  banner  waves, 
Here  above  our  fathers'  graves,  ' 

We,  as  erst  the  native  braves. 

Glad  our  honors  [)ay. 

We  revere  those  holy  men. 
Soon  returned  to  Heaven  again, 
But  their  works  with  us  remain. 

On  this  festive  day  ; 
Thankful  to  our  God  above. 
For  their  deeds  of  matchless  love. 
Their  example  let  us  prove, 

While  on  earth  we  stay. 

PRAYER. 

A  fervent   and   impressive  prayer  was  offered  to  the  Throne  of 
Grace,  by  Rev.  Robert  G.  Williams,  pastor  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational Church  of  Woodbury,  in  nearly  the  following  words,  viz  : 

O  Lord,  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth. 
Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place  in  all  generations.  Before 
the  mountains  were  brought  forth,  or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the 
earth  and  the  world,  even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God. 

Thou  art  tlie  maker  of  Heaven  and  earth,  and  the  governor  of  all 
things.  Thou  settest  up  kings  and  puttest  down  princes.  Thou  dost 
raise  up  nations  and  appoint  unto  them  their  habitations,  and  dost 
execute  thy  will  and  pleasure  in  them  and  by  them.  Varied  is  their  lot 
and  diverse  are  the  manifestations  of  thy  goodness  unto  them.  Many 
have  been  left  in  ignorance  of  that  revelation  of  thyself,  made  in  thy 
word  unto  other  favored  nations. 

We  address  thee,  0  God,  as  the  God  of  the  Bible,  and  we  praise 
thy  holy  name  that  unto  us  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  sentl  thy  word, 
with  its  accompanying  blessings.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  didst 
entrust  it  unto  our  fathers,  so  that  we  enjoy  the  matured  fruits  of  its 
long  possession,  that  they  so  esteemed  it  and  so  loved  to  obey  it,  that 
they  sought  where  they  might  worship  thee  according  to  the  dictates 
of  their  own  consciences,  enlightened  by  it.  As  of  thine  ancient  cov- 
enant people,  so  of  them  we  may  say,  when  thou  hast  brought  a  vine 


23 

out  of  Egypt,  thou  hast  cast  out  the  heathen  and  planted  it.  Thou 
preparedst  room  before  it  and  didst  cause  it  to  take  root,  and  it  filled 
the  land.  The  hills  were  covered  with  the  shadow  of  it,  and  the  boughs 
thereof  were  like  the  goodly  cedars.  She  sent  out  her  boughs  unto 
the  sea  and  her  branches  unto  the  river.  Return,  we  beseech  thee, 
O  God  of  Hosts,  look  down  from  Heaven  and  behold  and  visit  this 
vine :  and  the  vineyard  which  thy  right  hand  hath  planted,  and  the 
branch  that  thou  madest  strong  for  thyself.  So  will  not  we  go  back 
from  thee.     Quicken  us  and  we  will  call  upon  thy  name. 

We  hail  thy  goodness,  0  God,  in  the  fruitful  valley  thou  didst  open 
here  before  our  fathers,  who  led  hither  two  hundred  years  ago,  felt 
at  the  sight  hereof,  that  they  had  found  a  resting  place  for  their  feet, 
and  a  home  for  them  and  theirs.  How  has  a  little  one  become  a 
thousand,  and  a  small  one  a  strong  nation.  Vex'ily  the  lines  are  fallen 
to  us  in  pleasant  places,  yea  we  have  a  goodly  heritage.  Here  come 
up  the  thousands  from  the  little  one,  to  review  that  history  which 
thou  hast  so  filled  with  good,  to  revive  the  honored  memory  of  our 
fathers,  to  thank  and  praise  thee  for  them  and  the  results  of  thy  guid- 
ance of  them.  Our  joy  to-day  is  thus  great  because  of  thy  great 
goodness  through  the  long  past.  These  hills  and  these  valleys  display 
the  greatness  of  thy  care.  Peace  and  plenty  have  abounded  as  the 
light  of  thy  smile.  Thy  covenant  mercies  have  descended  in  all  thine 
own  faithfulness.  O  God,  we  thank  thee  for  a  pious  ancestry,  for 
their  Christian  courage,  for  their  large  and  liberal  views  of  Christian 
institutions,  and  we  this  day  record  thy  faithfulness  in  our  experience 
of  the  mercy  thou  dost  show  unto  the  children  of  all  such  as  keep  thy 
commandments.  They  wandered  in  the  wilderness,  in  a  solitary 
way.  They  found  no  city  to  dwell  in.  Hungry  and  thirsty,  their 
soul  fainted  in  them.  Then  they  cried  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble, 
and  he  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses ;  and  he  led  them  forth 
by  the  right  way,  that  they  might  go  to  a  city  of  habitation.  O  that 
men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  Jiis  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful 
works  to  the  children  of  men. 

Let  the  incense  of  those  prayers,  offered  by  our  fathers  in  this  val- 
ley, under  the  shadow  of  that  Rock  which  was  indeed  to  them  a  Bethel, 
still  rise  before  thee  and  bring  down  blessings  upon  us.  Let  the 
noble  history  of  the  past,  the  piety  of  our  fathers,  through  thy  goodness, 
inspire  us  with  stedfast  faith  in  thee,  as  a  God  to  be  owned  in  all  our 
personal  and  civil  concerns,  and  never  let  us  depart  from  thee.  That 
which  we  have  heard  and  known,  and  our  fathers  have  told  us,  we 


24 

will  not  hide  them  from  their  children,  showing  to  the  generation  to 
come,  the  praises  of  the  Lord  and  his  strength  and  his  wonderful 
works  that  he  hath  done.  For  he  established  a  testimony  in  Jacob, 
and  appointed  a  law  in  Israel,  which  he  commanded  our  fathers  that 
they  should  make  them  known  to  their  children,  that  the  generation 
to  come  might  know  them,  even  the  children  which  should  be  born, 
who  should  arise  and  declare  them  to  their  children,  that  they  might 
set  their  hope  in  God,  and  not  forget  the  works  of  God  but  keep  his 
commandments. 

"We  thank  thee  0  God,  for  our  rich  national  blessings,  our  civil  and 
religious  privileges,  freedom  from  national  commotions,  war,  pesti- 
lence, famine,  from  tyranny  and  call  to  war  at  the-will  of  fellow-men : 
freedom  to  worship  God  as  his  own  word  teaches.  Make  us  not  only 
grateful  for  these  rich  privileges,  but  sensible  of  our  responsibility  for 
them.  Enable  us  to  improve  them  aright,  and  to  transmit  them  un- 
impaired to  those  who  are  to  come  after  us. 

We  would  implore  thy  blessing  upon  thy  servant  the  President  of 
these  United  States  and  all  others  in  authority.  As  we  enjoy  the 
sweets  of  liberty,  so  let  our  prayers  ascend  before  thee  for  all  who 
have  them  not,  especially  for  the  enslaved  and  oppressed  in  our  own 
land.  Where  war  rages  and  man  hastens  to  shed  the  blood  of  his  fel- 
low man,  let  the  jicaceful  dove  of  Christianity  soon  find  a  resting  place, 
and  the  Prince  of  peace  have  willing  subjects. 

We  now  implore  thy  presence  with  us,  upon  this  festive  occasion. 
Guide  and  guard  from  all  ill.  Let  no  accident  harm  any  here  pres- 
ent, and  nothing  occur  to  mar  the  happiness  we  here  seek  for  our- 
selves, and  to  impart  to  others.  Let  the  preparation  for  the  enjoy 
ment,  and  the  influence  of  this  occasion  be  for  good  to  us  and  our 
posterity.  As  the  people  of  these  hills  and  valleys  have  so  much 
in  common,  let  them  ever  live  together  as  possessing  a  common  her- 
itage and  ever  seek  to  promote  their  own  by  caring  for  the  common 
weal. 

God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us  and  cause  his  face  to  shine 
upon  us.  That  thy  way  may  appear  upon  earth,  thy  saving  health 
among  all  nations.  Let  the  people  praise  thee  O  God,  let  all  the  people 
praise  thee.  O  let  the  nations  be  glad  and  sing  for  joy,  for  thou  shalt 
judge  the  people  righteously  and  govern  the  nations  upon  earth. 
Let  the  people  praise  thee  O  God,  let  the  people  praise  thee.  Then 
shall  the  earth  yield  her  increase,  and  God,  even  our  own  God  shall 
bless  us.  God  shall  bless  us,  and  all  the  ends  of"  the  earth  shall  fear 
him.     Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants  and  thy  glory  unto  their 


25 

childreTi.  and  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us,  and 
establish  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us,  yea  the  work  of  our  hands 
establish  thou  it.  That  our  sons  may  be  as  plants  grown  up,  in  their 
youth,  that  our  daughters  may  be  as  corner-stones  polished  after  the 
similitude  of  a  palace.  That  our  garners  may  be  full,  affording  all 
manner  of  store.  That  our  sheep  may  bring  forth  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands  in  our  streets  ;  that  our  oxen  may  be  strong  to  labor  ; 
that  there  be  no  breaking  in  nor  going  out ;  that  there  be  no  com- 
plaining in  our  streets.  Happy  is  that  people  that  is  in  such  a  case, 
yea  happy  is  that  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.  Blessed  be  the 
Lord  God,  the  God  of  Israel,  who  only  doeth  wondrous  things,  and 
blessed  be  his  glorious  name  for  ever,  and  let  the  whole  eai'th  be 
filled  witli  his  glory.     Amen  and  Amen, 

The  Emigrants  from  "Woodbury  were  then  "Welcomed  Home 
again,"  by  Nathaniel  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Woodbury  : 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Cj^entlemen,  who  are  here  as 
Returned  Emigrants: 

We  have  learned,  as  the  preparations  for  this  our  Bi-Centennial 
Celebration  progressed,  that  many  of  you  would  to-day  revisit  the 
scenes  of  your  childhood ;  and  have  feared  that  among  you  there 
might  be  some,  whose  old  homesteads  no  longer  echoed  to  familiar 
voices, — whose  relations  had  gone  out  from  among  us,  to  a  newer  or 
a  better  land.  Lest,  therefore,  any  here  should  be  sad  for  the  lack 
of  kindly  greeting  in  their  native  valley,  the  citizens  of  Ancient 
Woodbury  have  directed  me  to  bid  you  in  their  name,  a  CORDIAL 
WELCOME  HOME  AGAIN  ! 

We  have  invited  you  to  unite  with  us  in  reviewing  a  history  which 
is  our  mutual  inheritance, — a  past  whose  story  is  wi-itten  all  over  these 
hills  and  valleys.  Around  us,  smiling  meadows  and  cheerful  homes 
speak  of  the  patient,  unobtrusive- toil  that  has  wrought  this  "  Dwelling 
in  a  Wood."  Moss,  gathered  and  gathering  on  the  tomb-stones  in  our 
grave-yards,  tells  how  long  ago  the  early  builders  began  to  fall 
asleep.  Tlieir  homes  are  our  possession — their  memory  a  legacy  to 
all. 

We  are  happy  to  see  you  here,  not  only  on  account  of  the  pleasure 
your  presence  adds  to  the  general  enjoyment ;  but  more  especially 
because  your  coming  assures  us  that  our  history,  and  song,  and  ser- 
vices, are  not  the  result  of  mere  local  pride,  but  that  you  esteem  them, 
as  we  do,  a  proper  tribute  to  departed  worth,  an  expression  of  grati- 
4 


26 

tude  justly  due  from  us  on  such  an  anniversary,  to  tlio  noble  and 
the  good  who  have  gone  before.  We  commemorate  no  oraiuc^^y 
struggles  and  necessities  of  frontier  life.  "We  rehearse  the  fortitude 
and  success  of  no  common  adventurers.  Were  those  whose  memory 
we  are  here  to  honor,  mere  first  settlers,  actuated  by  no  higher  mo- 
tive than  usually  leads  such  into  the  wilderness,  onr  theme  would  per- 
haps be  unworthy  of  this  occasion.  The  pioneer  is  rarely  a  man  of 
exalted  virtue.  Hardy,  courageous,  and  uncouth,  he  resembles  those 
lichens,  which,  forerunners  of  vegetation,  fix  themselves  on  the  barren 
rock,  by  their  acids  disintegrate  its  surface  and  assimilate  its  substance, 
till  the  soil  adheres,  the  grasses  grow,  and  waving  flowers  succeed 
them.  Not  such  were  the  Puritan  fathers.  They  were  holy  Pilgrims, 
and  the  place  they  sought  became  a  shrine. 

To  such  a  spot  you  return  to-day — return  to  meet  cheerful  faces 
and  hospitable  dwellings.     How  different  was  their  coming ! 

"  The  rocking  pines  of  the  forest  roared, 
This  was  their  'welcome  home.'  " 

They  followed  God's  guidance*  into  the  wilderness,  and  brought 
His  worship  with  them.  Hardships  were  before,  dangers  around 
them  ;  but  they  encountered  all  in  that  spirit,  which  instead  of  choos- 
ing castles,  towers,  or  beasts  of  prey,  the  emblems  of  conquest  and 
pride,  for  armoi'ial  bearings,  placed  three  vines  upon  a  shield,  and 
wrote  beneath, 

"  Qui  Transtulit  Sustinet." 

Behold  to-day  how  He  has  "sustained!"  See  it  in  these  fruitful 
valleys  !  Read  it  in  this  happy  throng  !  Truly  it  is  not  wonderful 
that  a  past  thus  begun  and  thus  resulting,  should  move  us  to  unite 
in  public  rejoicing.  Let  other  and  older  nations  do  homage  to  con- 
querors and  triumph  in  their  battle-fields.  New  England  celebrates 
her  centuries,  which  bring  down  the  Puritan's  blessing  to  ever  increas- 
ing thousands  in  her  land  of  peace. 

Welcome,  then,  sons  and  daughters  of  Ancient  Woodbury  who  re- 
turn as  emigrants  to-day — welcome  to  the  laud  of  your  fathers,  to 
the  scene  where  we  unite  to  do  honor  to  their  memory !  How  long- 
soever  you  have  been  absent,  though  you  meet  with  few  familiar 
faces,  we  greet  you  as  old  acquaintances,  as  near  relations.  And, 
knowing  that  the  child  of  New  England  never  forgets  his  birth  place, 
though  you  have  your  habitations  elsewhere,  returning  here,  we  bid 
you  welcome  HOME. 


ADDEESS 


DELIVERED    AT 


WOODBURY,    CONN., 


ON    THE   OCCASION   OF   THE 


uonij  Centennial  Celebrata 


ANCIENT  WOODBURY, 

JULY  4rth,  1859. 
BY  WILLIAM  COTHREN.  Esq. 


ADDRESS. 


We  stand  this  day  upon  the  grave  of  two  hundred  years.  We  have 
come  with  solemn  awe  and  reverent  tread  to  commune  with  the  long 
buried  past.  We  are  assembled,  on  this  anniversary  morn,  for  the 
first  time,  in  the  long  lapse  of  two  centuries,  to  commemorate  the 
deeds  of  our  departed  sires.  We  are  come,  after  years  of  absence 
from  the  old  firesides,  to  recall  the  memories  and  renew  the  associa- 
tions of  former  days.  Some  of  us  come  to  look  upon  the  old  home- 
steads among  the  hills,  and  breathe  a  sigh  over  the  moss-grown 
graves  of  ancestors  long  since  gone  to  their  rest.  Some  of  us  come 
to  view  the  hallowed  spot  on  which  our  eyes  first  saw  the  light ; 
where  we,  in  the  hours  of  innocent  childhood,  received  a  father's  and 
a  mother's  blessing,  and  where  we,  could  we  have  our  wish,  at  the 
close  of  a  well-spent  life,  would  yield  our  tired  spirits  up  to  the 
Giver  of  all  good.  AVe  are  this  day  surrounded  with  the  results  of 
all  the  labors  of  the  past,  and  occupy  the  proud  positions,  long  years, 
ago  so  nobly  adorned  by  the  sainted  fathers  and  mothers  who 
planted  this  fertile  territory,  and  who,  having  ceased  from  their 
labors,  have  "  ascended  into  glory."  They  have  passed  away  to  the 
land  of  spirits  like  the  dissolving  of  a  sunset  cloud  into  the  cerulean 
tints  of  heaven — stealing  from  existence  like  the  strain  of  ocean- 
music,  when  it  dies  away,  slowly  and  sweetly,  upon  the  moonlight 
waters.  We  do  well,  on  this  glad  day  of  liberty,  to  celebrate  their 
lofty  achievements,  and  do  meet  honor  to  their  deathless  names.  If 
those  revered  spirits,  who  have  so  long  enjoyed  their  sacred  repose, 
can  look  down  through  the  veil  that  obscures  our  view  of  Heaven, 
they  will  approve,  with  a  smile  of  love,  the  design  of  our  assembling 
here.  And  when,  on  the  morrow,  you  shall  leave  this  place,  to  re- 
visit it  no  more  forever,  you  will  feel,  that  it  has  been  good  for  you  to 
have  been  here  on  this  glad  occasion. 


29 

Let  us  im^S'itij  for  a  moment,  what  a  scene  met  the  gaze  of  the 
first  i-^i'tly  explorers  of  these  pleasant  valleys,  two  hundred  years 
ago.  Every  thing  betokened  that  the  silence  of  nature  had  remained 
unbroken  by  human  voices  since  those  early  days,  when  "  the  morning 
stars  sang  together,"  save  by  those  of  nature's  own  uncultivated 
children,  the  red  huntex's  of  the  forest.  Nature  in  all  its  grand  mag- 
nificence met  the  enchanted  view  of  the  pale  face  in  these  sweetly 
fertile  plains  and  mountain  fastnesses.  The  grim  chiefs  of  the 
woody  wilds  alone  roamed  over  these  retired  solitudes,  save  the  wild 
beasts,  that  growled  upon  the  thousand  hills.  Every  year  had  the  In- 
dians set  fire  to  the  fallen  leaves,  thus  denuding  the  trees  of  their  lower 
branches,  and  destroying  the  underbrush,  so  that  the  dense  woods 
presented  a  most  magnificent  and  enchanting  appearance.  Thus  the 
"  eye  was  allowed  to  rove  with  delight  from  ridge  to  ridge,  and  from 
hill  to  hill,  which,  like  the  divisions  of  an  immense  temple,  were 
crowded  with  innumerable  pillars,  the  branches  of  whose  shafts,  intei*- 
locking,  framed  the  arch-work  of  support  to  that  leafy  roof,  which  cov- 
ered and  crowned  the  whole."  On  the  meadows  by  our  noble  river, 
were  scanty  patches  of  maize,  beans,  and  tobacco,  the  results  of  the  rude 
husbandry  of  the  untutored  savage  of  the  forest.  The  whole  face  of 
nature  was  one  vast  solitude  uncheered  by  the  benign  rays  of  civili- 
zation. From  Wyantenuck  to  Mattatuck,  and  from  Pootatuck  to 
Bantam,  were  heard  the  dismal  howl  of  the  wolf,  and  the  war-cry  of 
the  red  man.  Amid  these  secluded  wilds,  and  by  the  silvery  waters 
of  the  Quassapaug,  sported  the  timid  deer,  and  coy  doves  built  their 
lonely  nests.  Hei-e  dwelt  a  race  groping  in  the  shadow  of  dim  im 
aginings,  faintly  led  by  the  light  of  nature.  Here  desperate  fights 
and  deadly  ambuscades  were  planned.  Here  did  the  prisoner  of  war 
suffer  the  extreme  tortures  of  his  enemies.  Here  the  romantic  lover 
*'  wooed  his  dusky  mate,"  with  presents  and  silent  attentions,  in  prim- 
itive simplicity.  Here,  too,  the  powwow  held  his  dread  incantations, 
and,  if  tradition  is  to  be  believed,  offered  human  sacrifices  to  appease 
the  wrath  of  Hobbamocko,  the  spirit  of  evil,  the  author  of  all  human 
plagues  and  calamities.  Here,  too,  in  the  golden  days  of  the  Indian 
Summer,  the  poor  savage  mused  of  the  Great  Spirit,  the  benevolent 
Kiehtan,  giver  of  his  corn,  beans,  and  tobacco,  who  lived  far  away  to 
the  south-west,  in  whose  blest  dominions  he  hoped,  at  death,  to  find 
his  happy  hunting  grounds. 

Such  was  the  scene  that  greeted  the  eyes  of  Capt.  John  Minor, 
the  intrepid  surveyor,  and  his  sturdy  companions,  as  they  traversed 
this  territory,  which  was  then  the  farthest  point  from  shore,  that  had 


30 

been  explored.  This  was  a  short  time  previous  to  ito  20th  day  of 
April,  1659,  the  date  of  the  first  Indian  deed  of  the  territory.  Tj^gy 
spent  several  days  in  exploring  these  valleys,  climbing  the  numerous 
hills  that  surround  us,  and  tracing  these  swiftly  gliding  streams. 
They  found  it  to  be  an  excellent  place  for  planting  a  new  colony  of 
pilgrims  from  the  father-land.  In  the  quaint  language  of  the  Indian 
recommendation,  when  they  were  negotiating  with  the  first  explorers 
for  the  sale  of  these  lands,  "  it  was  a  good  place  for  many  smokes  of 
the  white  man." 

But  how  did  our  fathers  come  by  their  title  to  this  now  blooming 
heritage  ?  How  did  they  acquire  the  fee  to  the  soil,  and  the  right  of 
dominion  ?  How  did  they  obtain  rights,  which  civilized  nations, 
even,  fight  for,  and  wade  through  rivers  of  blood  to  secure  ?  How 
acquire  the  same  right  to  rule,  that  Louis  Napoleon  and  Francis 
Joseph  are  now  turning  Europe  upside  down  to  determine  ?  The 
answer  to  these  questions  is  at  hand,  and  is  honorable  to  our  fathers' 
sense  of  right  and  justice.  The  descendants  of  the  founders  of 
Woodbury  can  look  upon  their  landed  possessions,  as  having  come 
down  to  them  by  fair,  honest,  and  legitimate  titles.  No  fraud,  vio- 
lence, conquest,  or  stain  of  blood  attaches  to  the  hem  of  the  garments 
of  our  forefathers.  They  not  only  purchased  their  lands  of  the 
Indians,  but,  in  some  instances,  several  times  over,  from  conflicting 
claimants,  and  dishonest  pretenders.  They  were  very  particular  in 
procuring  title  deeds,  and  alienations  executed  in  legal  form  and  with 
great  solemnity.  They  were  extremely  careful,  that  they  might,  in 
this  manner,  more  vividly  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  Indians,  the 
binding  nature  of  their  contracts.  Those  children  of  nature,  the 
former  lords  of  the  forest,  took  great  interest  in  the  proceedings,  and 
affixed  their  uncouth,  though  often  ingenious  "  marks "  of  a  snow- 
shoe,  a  fish,  a  bow  and  arrow,  a  war-club,  a  snake,  or  some  wild 
animal,  to  the  deeds  that  were  conveying  away  forever  their  paternal 
hunting-grounds  to  the  pale-faced  strangers  within  their  ancient  bor- 
ders. They  often  stipulated  in  their  conveyances,  that  the  "  marked 
trees,"  or  bounds,  should  be  made  "  clere  and  fayre,"  and  that  they 
should  be  carefully  kept  from  destruction  or  obliteration. 

The  deed  of  1659,  in  commemoration  of  the  reception  of  which 
we  are  this  day  assembled,  conveyed  all  the  land  within  the  bounds, 
"Potateuk  River  South-west,  Naugatunck  River  North-east,  and  ' 
bounded  on  y^  North-west  with  trees  marked  by  me  (Tautannimo) 
and  other  Indians."  This  was  signed  by  the  Sachem  of  the  Pagas- 
setts,  or  Derby  Indians,  and  four  of  his  sagamores,  and  includes  a 


81 

territory  in  T  JtcLfield  and  New  Haven  counties,  nearly  as  large  as 
Ljt(.>i;eid  county  itself.  It  extended,  as  has  been  seen,  from  the  Nau- 
gatuck  to  the  Housatonic,  and  from  the  Southernmost  point  of  South- 
buiy  to  Bantam  Lake.  It  does  not  appear  that  our  fathers  made 
much  use  of  this  purchase,  except  perhaps  for  hunting  grounds,  till 
thirteen  years  later  ;  at  which  time  they  planted  corn  upon  the  river 
meadows  in  company  with  the  Indians.  The  next  year,  on  the  26th 
of  April,  (1673,)  they  made  their  first,  or  Pomperaug  purchase,  of 
the  Pootatuck  Indians,  the  real  occupants  of  the  soil,  covering  the 
whole  town  plot  from  the  Eastern  hills  to  "  "Wecuppeme,"  and  from 
the  North  end  of  East  Meadow  to  the  "  Bent "  of  the  Pomperaug 
River  at  South  Britain,  taking  in  "  transiluania  and  rag-land."  By 
this  purchase,  a  large  part  of  the  most  fertile  and  arable  lands  of  the 
town  was  obtained.  The  second  purchase  of  land  from  the  Poota- 
tucks,  was  made  on  the  17th  of  March,  1685-6.  This  was  the  She- 
paug  Purchase,  comprising  two-thirds  of  the  present  town  of  Rox- 
bury,  and  part  of  Southbury.  On  the  18th  of  May,  1700,  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  town,  having  become  numerous  for  those  days,  made 
their  fourth,  or  Nonnewaug  purchase.  Till  this  time  it  seems,  that 
the  Sagamore  of  that  name  had  retained  his  possessions  in  the  valley 
of  the  Nonnewaug,  or  East  Sprain  Stream.  But  now  it  came  his 
turn  to  make  room,  and  it  seems  that  he  and.  his  companions  did  it 
with  a  good  grace,  as  the  deed  informs  us  the  sale  was  made  "  Foi* 
valid  considerations  moving  thereto,  besides  y^  desire  y'  is  w'''in  us  of 
a  friendly  correspondency  w'''  y"  English  inhabitants  of  s"*  Woodbury." 
At  a  very  early  day,  that  part  of  Southbury  known  as  Kettletown, 
had  been  purchased  of  the  Indians  for  the  consideration  of  a  brass 
kettle.  It  had  been  bought  the  second  time  seven  years  after  the 
settlement  of  the  town  ;  and  on  the  25th  of  October,  1705,  it  became 
necessary  to  purchase  it  the  third  time.  Something  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  had  passed  since  the  last  sale,  and,  by  this  time, 
it  is  probable  that  they  again  felt  the  need  of  the  "consideration." 
This  was  the  fifth  regular  purchase  of  the  Pootatucks.  On  the  28th 
of  May,  next  year,  the  town  pui'chased  the  sixth,  or  Confirmatory 
purchase.  This  covered  and  confirmed  all  former  grants  and  pur- 
chases, together  with  a  considerable  tract  of  land  in  Roxbury,  and  a 
piece  eighty  rods  in  width  from  Steep  Rock  in  Washington,  to  the 
^mouth  of  the  Shepaug,  on  the  West  side  of  that  river.  In  this  deed 
the  Indians  reserved  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  South-west  part  of 
Southbury,  called  the  Pootatuck  Reservation.  This  was  bounded 
on  the  North  by  a  line  drawn  from  Shepaug  Falls  to  the  "  Bent"  of 


32 

the  Pomperaug,  East  by  that  river,  or  by  a  line  drawn  parallel  to 
and  a  few  rods  East  of  it,  from  the  "  Bent "  to  its  mouth,  Soutu  j,  ' 
the  Pootatuck,  and  West  by  the  Shepaug  river.  This  reservation, 
now  called  "The  Purchase,"  contained  the  principal  Indian  village, 
located  on  the  Pootatuck  River,  South  of  South  Britain  village.  Af- 
ter this  sale,  the  Indians  continued  to  convey  portions  of  it  from  time 
to  time,  till  1733,  when  there  was  left  to  them  only  a  remnant  of  their 
possessions  at  the  South-east  corner,  in  which  was  located  their  last 
remaining  village,  called  the  "  Pootatuck  Wigwams."  They  retained 
their  title  to  this  last  resting  place  for  the  soles  of  their  feet  for  a  quarter 
of  a  century  longer,  when,  being  reduced  to  a  mere  handful  in  num- 
bers, in  May,  1759,  just  one  hundred  years  ago,  they  parted  with 
their  cherished  Pootatuck,  and  the  "  remnant  that  remained,"  took 
up  their  abode  with  the  Scatacook  Indians  at  Kent,  where  a  few  of 
the  full,  and  more  of  the  half  blood  remain  to  this  day.  In  all  their 
later  sales,  they  reserved  to  themselves  the  right  to  take  game  on  the 
lands  forever ; — a  right  which  was  always  religiously  respected  by 
our  fathers,  whenever  a  straggling  Pootatuck  revisited  the  graves  of 
his  ancestors,  or  wandered  in  his  once  wide  dominions  ! 

The  "  marks "  with  which  these  Indians  signed  their  deeds,  were 
interesting  and  unique.  Nonnewaug's  mark  was  a  snow-shoe,  We- 
cuppeme's,  a  snake,  Momanchewaug's,  a  rude  drawing  of  the  face  of 
a  prostrate  foe,  Punhone's,  a  warrior's  uplifted  arm,  and  that  of  Tum- 
masseete,  the  owner  of  the  first  orchard  in  this  territory,  was  a  bow 
and  arrow.  These  "  marks  "  were  as  truly  signatures,  and  as  read- 
ily identified  as  our  own.  What  the  mark  of  Pomperaug  was,  is  not 
known,  as  he  never  was  brought  to  the  sad  necessity  of  parting  with 
any  of  his  hunting  grounds.  He  never  made  his  "  mark,"  to  such  a 
confession  of  weakness  and  declining  power. 

It  is  many  years  since  the  last  Pootatuck,  an  old  squaw,  came  back 
to  the  seat  of  the  Pootatuck  village,  to  revisit  the  graves  of  her  fore- 
fathers, whose  bones  are  washed  out  from  the  sandy  plain,  at  every 
sudden  overflow  of  the  noble  Pootatuck.  Looking  up  to  the  place 
where  stood,  and  still  stand,  the  few  remaining  trees  of  "  Tummas- 
seete's  old  orchard,"  "  There,"  she  said,  the  tears  streaming  down 
her  wrinkled  cheeks,  "  there  is  Pootatuck,  the  home  of  the  buried 
braves !"  What  a  world  of  sad  associations  cluster  around  that  sim- 
ple outburst  of  nature  !  After  lingering  near  the  graves  of  her  peo- 
ple a  few  days,  she  returned  to  the  place  whence  she  came,  and  the 
light  of  the  pristine  race,  in  this  territory,  went  out  forever  ! 

Thus  it  is  seen,  that  the  early  fathers  fairly  purchased  every  foot 


33 

of  the  ancient  territory,  and  took  conveyances  with  due  and  proper 
solemnities.  From  the  known  character  of  the  men,  it  is  to  be  pre- 
sumed, that  these  bargains  were  honestly  conducted ;  and  it  does  not 
appear  that  any  dispute  of  any  account,  ever  arose  between  the  par- 
ties, in  regard  to  them.  Nor  were  these  purchases  liable  to  the  criti- 
cism of  insufficient  consideration.  The  amounts  paid  were  large  for 
those  days  of  poverty  ;  and  no  doubt,  the  untutored  savages,  who,  as 
yet,  considered  their  lands  of  little  or  no  value,  r^'oiced  greatly  over 
such  large  prices  and  rare  articles  as  they  received  for  pay,  and  prob- 
ably thought  they  had,  by  far,  the  best  of  the  bargain.  They  knew 
not  how  soon  they  would  be  straightened  for  land,  and,  their  people 
scattered  hke  the  leaves  of  the  forest.  In  the  order  of  Providence, 
one  race  had  arisen,  another  had  passed  away.  Sampson's  locks 
were  shorn — his  glory  and  strength  had  departed.  The  red  man 
with  a  sad  prodigality  had  parted  with  his  only  wealth. 

Let  us  pause  a  moment  to  drop  a  passing  tear  over  the  obliterated 
graves  of  a  buried  race.  They  are  all  gone  to  meet  the  Great  Spirit, 
and,  perhaps,  as  they  desired  in  life,  to  revel  in  "  happy  hunting 
grounds."  By  the  romantic  Falls  of  his  own  ever  murmuring 
stream,  is  the  grave  of  Nonnewaug.  In  his  own  orchard  at  Poota- 
tuck,  near  the  noble  Housatonic,  rest  the  remains  of  Tummasseete. 
Within  the  fertile  meadows  of  Weekeepeemee  reposes  the  brave  of 
that  name,  in  his  last  quiet  sleep.  And  there,  by  that  rock,  in  your 
very  midst,  they  buried  Pomperaug,  the  renowned  chief  of  your 
valley,  who  gave  his  name  to  your  beautiful  meandering  river.  A 
hillock  of  small  stones  now  mark  the  spot,  dropped  there,  one  by  one, 
with  a  tear  to  each,  by  his  remaining  braves  as  they  sadly  passed  the 
hallowed  spot,  on  their  hunting  and  fishing  excursions. 

And  who  were  the  strange  people,  that  occupied  these  pleasant 
dwelling  places  in  the  woods,  when  the  white  man  reached  these 
shores  ?  They  were,  indeed,  a  strange  race,  beginning  in  mystery, 
and  ending  in  annihilation.  Their  origin  and  mission  on  earth  seem 
to  be  one  of  the  seci*ets  of  the  Great  Creator.  The  race  found  inhab- 
ting  these  new  regions,  did  not  live  in  comfortable  dwellings,  sur- 
rounded by  verdant  fields,  which  they  cultivated,  but  semi-nude,  or 
clad  in  the  skins  of  wild  beasts,  they  wandered,  in  small  clans,  in  the 
dense  fox-ests,  among  the  lofty  mountains,  by  the  murmuring  streams, 
and  along  the  meandering  rivers.  They  were  destitute  of  the  arts  of 
civilized  life ;  had  strange  rites  and  unheard  of  customs.  They  en- 
gaged in  fierce  conflicts  and  exterminating  wars.  They  were  men  of 
iron  will,  who  knew  no  fear,  and  whom  severest  tortures  could  not 
5 


34 

move.  They  never  forgot  a  kindness,  nor  forgave  an  injury.  They 
were  idolaters,  and  on  our  now  peaceful  and  happy  plains,  they  offered 
human  sacrifices  to  appease  the  God  of  evil,  created  by  their  own 
superstitious  imaginations.  This  rude  and  barbarous  people  was 
scattered  all  over  our  extended  continent,  and  yet  they  had  hitherto 
been  unknown — insulated  from  the  rest  of  the  world.  Our  fathers 
tried  to  civilize  and  Christianize  them  with  little  success,  though  they 
granted  them  the  privilege  of  attending  their  schools  and  religious 
assemblies.  Some  of  them,  indeed,  profited  by  these  privileges, 
o-ained  the  rudiments  of  knowledge,  put  themselves  under  the  care  of 
the  ministers,  and  became  approved  members  of  the  Churches.  But 
the  great  majority  adhered  to  the  dark  and  cheerless  faith,  and  cruel 
rites  believed  and  practiced  by  their  forefathers.  So  far  as  the  In- 
dians of  this  town  were  concerned,  they  were  always  the  friends  of 
our  fathers,  and  maintained  with  them  a  perpetual  peace.  There 
were  some  Indian  conflicts  here,  but  they  arose  from  the  incursions 
of  the  Mohawks,  who  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  settlers,  held  the 
Indians  of  this  territory  as  tributaries,  by  superior  prowess.  As  early 
as  1675,  during  King  Philip's  war,  they  made  a  treaty  with  the 
pioneers  to  these  valleys,  in  which  they  covenanted  to  continue  in 
"  friendship  with  the  white  settlers,  and  be  enemies  to  their  enemies, 
and  discover  them  timely,  or  destroy  them."  This  treaty  was  ever 
kept,  as  a  perpetual  league,  with  entire  good  faith,  by  both  the  con- 
tractin"-  parties,  and  many  were  the  mutual  offices  of  kindness  they 
performed  for  each* other.  Let  it  be  taken  for  granted,  then,  as  many 
have  asserted,  that  the  Indian  was  fierce,  vindictive,  uncultivated  and 
untamable  ;  yet  with  all  his  faults  and  failings,  he  stood  erect,  in  the 
midst  of  nature's  leafy  temple,  God's  original  freeman.  He  could 
never  be  enslaved.  No  superior  power,  intelligence  or  cunning,  could 
make  him  wear  the  bondman's  chain ! 

Wild  rovers  of  Pootatuck,  Mattatuck,  Wyantenuck,  Pomperaug, 
Raumaug,  Bantam,  ye  have  passed  away !  Your  lights  have  gone 
out  on  the  shore  !  Your  thin  smokes  no  longer  curl  faintly  amid  the 
thick  woods !  Well  do  we  love  your  good  old  Indian  names,  and 
would  that  more  of  them,  almost  the  sole  relic  of  your  once  powerful 
people,  had  been  adopted  by  our  fathers  to  designate  the  places  where 
your  lights  went  out  forever! 

Such  are  the  simple  annals  of  the  unfortunate,  and  benighted  race 
that  once  had  possession  of  this  fair  heritage,  and  roamed  in  haughty 
independence  through  these  sequestered  vales.  Not  a  Pootatuck  re- 
mains in  the  territory   of  the  ancient  town,  to   revisit,  with  Indian 


3o 

wail  aud  lamentation,  the  forsaken,  and  almost  forgotten  graves  of 
his  ancestors.  When  the  floods,  or  excavations  of  the  present  inhab- 
itants, exhume  the  bones  of  the  long  buried  braves,  they  are  gathered 
up  Avith  eager  interest,  to  grace  a  public  museum  or  private  collection 
of  antique  curiosities.  Their  sun  has  set  in  darkness  and  in  gloom. 
Advancing  civilization,  so  fortunate  and  happy  for  the  white  race, 
brought  nothing  to  the  red  man  but  disaster  and  decay.  With  a  sad 
infatuation,  they  embraced  its  vices  instead  of  its  virtues.  Before 
the  white  man  touched  these  shores,  they  enjoyed  their  wild  and 
savage  mode  of  life  without  molestation.  This  was  "their  own,  their 
native  land ! "  Here  were  their  council  fires.  On  the  beautiful 
rivers,  they  paddled  the  light  canoe,  and  pursued  their  game  in  the 
unbroken  forests.  They  went  up  by  their  mountains  ;  they  came 
down  by  their  valleys ;  they  followed  their  own  desires  for  happiness 
in  wild,  reckless  exhuberance.  The  mossy  cliffs,  and  the  dells  in 
the  thick  woods,  echoed  back  their  shrill  songs,  and  fearful  cry  of 
war.  But  the  white  man  took  up  his  abode  in  their  ancient  hunting 
grounds.  The  strength  of  civilization  met  the  weakness  of  barba- 
rism. From  that  inauspicious  hour,  the  poor  natives  waned  and  re- 
treated farther  into  the  wild  solitudes.  The  children  of  the  forest 
have  passed  away — fsxded  from  the  view,  and  almost  from  the  memory 
of  man.  In  their  low,  unnoticed,  and  unknown  graves,  they  sleep 
well !  Their  existence  has  become  a  matter  of  antiquarian  research, 
and  oft-told  legend.  Their  brief  history  has  been  written  in  desola- 
tion. 

"  Alas,  i'ov  them,  tlieir  day  is  o'er — 
Their  fires  are  out  from  shore  to  shore  ! 
No  more  for  them  the  wild  deer  bounds, 
The  plow  is  on  their  hunting  grounds." 

The  settlement  of  Woodbury  was  the  result  of  difference  in  reh- 
gious  opinion,  among  the  inhabitants  of  Stratford.  It  was  accom- 
plished by  one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  brilliant  mental  conflicts 
that  ever  occurred  in  planting  a  New  England  town.  There  were 
giants  in  those  days,  for  the  defence  of  what  they  believed  to  be  re- 
ligious truth.  The  usual  reason  for  settling  a  new  town  had  ever 
been,  that  the  parent  town  had  become  too  full  to  accommodate  all 
its  inhabitants,  and  that  it  was  necessary  to  seek  new  locations  for  ex- 
tending the  Church  of  God,  and  advancing  the  interests  of  religious 
freedom.  No  idea  of  mere  worldly  advantage  entered  the  minds  of 
the  stern  and  earnest  men,  who  planted  our  beautiful  and  ever  honored 
town.     The  first  ministers  of  the  colony  being  dead,  and  a  new  gene- 


36 

ration  coming  on  the  stage  of  action,  alterations  in  respect  to  Church 
membership,  baptism,  and  the  mode  of  Church  discipline,  were  im- 
periously demanded.  Great  dissensions  on  these  subjects  accordingly 
arose  in  the  churches  at  Hartford,  Windsor,  Wethersfield,  and  other 
places,  and  continued  in  various  parts  of  the  Colony,  from  1656  to 
about  1 670.  It  is  difficult  for  us,  at  this  distance  of  time,  fully  to 
understand  the  exact  merits  of  the  controversy.  The  system  in  dis- 
pute, was  called  the  "  Half  Way  Covenant"  system  of  Church  mem- 
bership. Upon  this  question  there  was  the  gravest  diiference  of 
opinion  among  the  most  learned  and  pious  men  in  New  England.  By 
this  plan,  a  person  of  good  moral  character  might  own  or  renew  the 
covenant  of  Baptism,  confessing  the  same  creed  as  members  of  the 
Church  in  full  communion,  and  affirming  his  intention  of  becoming 
truly  pious,  in  heart  and  in  life,  have  the  privilege  of  presenting  him- 
self, children,  grand-children,  and  even  his  slaves,  for  baptism,  by 
giving  a  pledge  for  their  religious  education.  Persons  thus  owning 
the  covenant,  were  considered  members  of  the  Church  to  all  intents 
and  purposes,  except  that  they  might  not  come  to  the  communion 
table.  For  conduct  unbecoming  church  members,  they  could  be,  and 
were,  dealt  with,  and  punished  in  the  same  manner  as  members  in 
full  communion.  Consequent  upon  this  practice,  baptisms  followed 
close  upon  births,  generally  in  from  one  to  eight  days,  and  if  the  child 
was  in  danger  of  "  non-continuance,"  it  was  baptized  on  the  day  of 
its  birth. 

In  those  early  days,  the  choice  of  pastors  was  confined  exclusively 
to  members  of  the  church,  though  every  freeholder  was  taxed  for  their 
support ;  and  nearly  all  the  offices  and  honors  of  the  Colony  of  Con- 
necticut, to  which  Stratford  belonged,  were  distributed  to  professors 
of  religion,  who  alone,  in  the  New  Haven  Colony,  possessed  the  right 
of  suffrage  in  meetings  of  a  political  character.  During  the  lives  of 
the  early  colonists,  little  trouble  had  arisen  on  these  points,  nearly  all 
of  the  first  immigrants  having  been  professors  of  religion.  But  this 
generation  had  passed  away,  and  a  new  one  had  succeeded,  many  of 
whom,  on  account  of  their  not  belonging  to  the  church,  were  excluded 
from  their  proper  influence  in  the  communitv.  Most  of  them  had 
been  baptized,  and  by  virtue  of  this,  it  was  claimed  that  they  might 
own  their  covenant,  have  their  children  baptized,  and  thus  perpetuate 
the  church,  and  themselves  attain  the  rank  of  perfect  freemen.  Hence 
it  may  readily  be  seen  why  our  patriotic  forefathers,  as  well  as  those 
who  were  thus  excluded  from  their  proper  position  in  the  affairs  of 
the  town  and  colony,  desired  such  a  change  in  church  government  as 


37 

would  overcome  this  unjust  inequality.  All  New  England  became 
interested  in  this  controversy;  and  in  1657,  it  was  decided  by  a 
council  of  the  principal  ministers  of  the  colonies,  convened  at  Boston, 
that  it  was  the  duty  of  those,  who  had  come  to  yeai*s  of  discretion, 
baptized  in  infancy,  to  own  the  covenant ;  that  it  was  the  duty  of  the 
Church  to  call  them  to  do  it,  and,  if  they  refused,  they  might  be  cen- 
sured by  the  Church.  In  consequence  of  this  decision,  many  owned 
their  covenant,  and  presented  their  qhildren  for  baptism,  but  did  not 
unite  with  the  church  in  the  celebration  of  the  supper,  nor  in  most 
other  duties  of  members  in  full  communion.  Hence  it  was  termed 
the  "  Half  Way  Covenant  System." 

The  Church  of  Stratford,  notwithstanding  the  Boston  decision, 
would  not  adopt  this  practice,  although  a  large  and  influential  part  of 
its  members  were  in  favor  of  it,  together  with  a  majority  of  the  voters 
of  the  town,  who  were  not  church  members.  Rev.  Israel  Chauncey, 
son  of  President  Charles  Chauncey,  of  Cambridge,  who  was  opposed 
to  this  practice,  was  settled  over  the  Church  in  1665,  receiving  ordi- 
nation in  the  independent  mode.  On  this  account,  a  large  part  of  the 
Church  and  town  was  opposed  to  his  ordination.  It  was  therefore 
agreed,  that  if  after  hearing  Mr.  Chauncey  for  a  certain  time,  they 
should  continue  to  be  dissatisfied  with  his  ministry,  the  dissenting 
party  should  be  at  liberty  to  call  and  settle  another  minister,  and 
have  the  same  privilege  in  the  Meeting  House  as  the  other  party. 
Accordingly,  after  hearing  Mr.  Chauncey  the  time  agreed  on,  and 
continuing  to  be  dissatisfied  with  his  ministrations,  they  invited  Rev. 
Zechariah  Walker  to  preach  to  them,  and  finally  chose  him  for  their 
pastor.  Both  ministers  performed  public  worship  in  the  same  house, 
Mr.  Chauncey  at  the  usual  hours,  while  Mr.  Walker  was  allowed  two 
hours  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  They  had  been  a  long  time  in  agree- 
ing upon  this  ax'rangement,  as  will  be  seen.  But  it  was  difficult  al- 
ways to  confine  the  services  to  the  exact  time  allowed,  and  it  soon 
happened,  that  Mr.  Walker  exceeded  the  time  limited,  one  day,  to 
such  an  extent,  that  Mr.  Chauncey  and  his  hearers  becoming  impa- 
tient, retired  to  a  private  house,  and  there  held  their  afternoon  services. 
They  were,  however,  so  much  displeased,  that  next  day,  they  went 
over  to  Fairfield,  and  made  a  complaint  against  Mi'.  Walker  to  Major 
Gold,  one  of  the  magistrates.  The  Major,  upon  hearing  the  case, 
advised  pacific  measures,  and  that  Mr.  Walker  should  be  allowed 
three  hours  for  his  public  exercises.  Then  begun  that  remarkable 
conflict  of  master  minds,  conducted  on  one  side  by  Rev.  Mr.  Chaun- 
cey and  Phillip  Graves,  and  on  the  other  by  Rev.  Mr.  Walker,  Capt. 


38 

John  Minor,  "  the  learned  and  pious  scribe,"  Hon.  Samuel  Sherman 
and  Lt.  Joseph  Judson,  men  of  worth  and  might,  whose  blood  courses 
through  the  veins  of  a  larger  number  of  persons  in  this  great  assem- 
bly, than  that  of  all  others  put  together.  I  Had  almost  asked,  who  is 
there  here  that  does  not  claim  some  connection  with  those  early  foun- 
ders, either  by  birth  or  matrimonial  ties  !  It  was  a  battle  of  the  "  gi- 
ants !"  Time  forbids  that  I  should  give  full  details  of  this  rema  rk- 
able  contest.  Nor  is  it  necessary,  as  they  are  doubtless  familiar  to 
you  all,  being  set  forth  with  great  particularity,  in  the  late  history  of 
this  territory.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  eftbrts  of  the  dissenting  party, 
our  fathers,  for  reconciliation,  seem  to  have  been  earnest  and  sincei'e. 
Their  communications  to  their  brethren  were  couched  in  respectful 
and  Christian  terras,  and  their  arguments  were  not  to  be  easily  refuted, 
if  at  all.  Little  pains,  however,  seems  to  have  been  taken  by  the 
first  Church,  during  the  whole  controversy,  to  answer  the  reasoning 
of  the  dissatisfied  party,  or  to  conciliate  them ;  but  it  seemed  rather 
to  throw  itself  back  on  its  dignity  with  an  intention  of  allowing  the 
dissentients  to  take  their  own  course.  The  latter  had  a  majority  in 
the  town  meetings,  and  Dea.  John  Minor,  one  of  their  leaders,  was 
Town  Clerk  during  the  whole  time  of  the  controversy,  and  for  several 
years  afterward.  This  written  controversy  has  been  preserved  on  the 
colony  and  town  records,  and  is  a  model  of  Christian  courtesy  and 
moderation,  well  worth  the  study  of  all  future  Church  agitators  and 
dissenters.  Mr.  Walker's  party  earnestly  sought  an  entire  union 
with  the  members  of  the  first  Church.  Even  those  in  full  communion 
offered  to  be  again  examined  in  regard  to  their  "  fayth  and  knowledge," 
in  the  same  manner  as  upon  their  first  admission,  that  the  Church 
might  be  convinced  their  peculiar  views  had  not,  in  any  manner,  un- 
dermined their  religious  principles,  or  purity  of  character.  When 
this  was  denied,  and  after  they  had  called  Mr.  Walker,  they  earnestly 
desired  to  unite  the  two  meetings,  and  hear  both  ministers,  the  more 
especially,  as  the  Meeting  House  had  been  built  by  both  parties.  To 
unite  the  two  meetings  was  evidently  not  the  best  way  of  composing 
tlieir  differences,  although  they  might  not  be  "fundamental,"  as  was 
admitted  by  all,  for  their  opinions  in  regard  to  church  membership, 
were  so  diverse,  they  could  hardly  have  been  much  edified  in  being 
obliged  to  listen  to  the  defence  of  what  they  did  not  believe.  It  would 
be  much  like  the  mingling  of  the  worship  of  the  various  evangelical 
churches  of  the  present  day.  While  the  ministers  might  confine 
themselves  to  points  on  which  all  were  agreed,  there  would  be  danger 
of  treading,  at  times,  on  forbidden  ground. 


39 

In  September,  1668,  the  church  refused  to  hear  the  two  ministers 
in  joint  meeting,  and  refused  further  to  consider  the  disputes  between 
them  till  Mr.  Walker's  party  had  "  procured  the  approbation  of  the 
General  Court,  and  the  consent  of  neighboring  Churches."  In 
November,  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Walker,  for  his  people,  replied  to 
this  communication,  in  a  paper  of  great  power,  and  informed  them 
that  they  had  concluded,  "  God  willing,"  to  occupy  their  joint  proper- 
ty, the  Meeting  House,  a  part  of  each  Sabbath,  beginning  with  the 
next  Sabbath,  and  that  they  would  use  it  during  that  part  of  the  day 
which  Mr.  Chauncey's  party  might  determine,  but  if  they  did  not 
designate,  then  they  would  take  the  latter  part  of  the  day.  He  closed 
the  communication  with  the  desire  that  the  "God  of  Peace"  would 
guide  the  parties  to  such  a  course  of  action  as  would  be  for  their 
"mutual  peace  and  comfort."  The  result  of  this  notice  was  a  com- 
promise, by  which  Mr.  Walker  was  allowed  two  hours  each  Sabbath 
for  his  services  in  the  Meeting  House,  in  the  middle  of  the  day, 
between  the  two  services  of  Mr.  Chauncey,  till  the  meeting  of  the 
General  Court  in  May,  1669.  At  that  session  both  parties  presented 
petitions  in  relation  to  their  disagreements,  particularly  in  regard  to 
the  manner  in  which  they  should  "  enjoy  the  Meeting  House."  With- 
out reflection,  one  might  say  that  the  readiest  way  out  of  the  difficulty 
would  have  been  to  have  built  another  church.  But  it  must  be  borne 
in  mind  that  the  country  was  new,  and  the  inhabitants  poor.  It  was 
a  great  undertaking  in  their  wilderness  condition,  to  erect  a  suitable 
building,  and  heavy  taxes  for  years  were  necessary  to  be  laid  to  com- 
plete one.  The  Court  took  the  case  into  consideration,  as  requested, 
confirmed  the  choice  of  Mr.  Chauncey,  ordered  both  parties  to  choose 
"some  indifferent  persons  of  piety  and  learning  to  compose  their  dif- 
ferences," and  gave  Mr.  Walker's  party  liberty  till  the  October  ses- 
sion, to  occupy  the  church  three  hours  each  Sabbath,  in  the  middle  of 
the  day,  between  the  two  services  of  Mr.  Chauncey.  They  could  not, 
however,  agree  upon  the  points  to  be  submitted  to  the  arbitx'ators,  and 
at  the  October  session.  1669,  a  resolution  was  passed  by  the  General 
Court  advising  the  First  Church  to  comply  with  the  desire  of  Mr. 
Walker's  party,  to  have  union  services,  allowing  Mr.  Walker  to  preach 
one  part  of  each  Sabbath  to  the  united  congregation.  Some  com- 
munications passed  between  the  parties  relative  to  this  advice,  but 
Mr.  Chauncey's  party,  instead  of  granting  them  the  privilege  which 
they  had  so  long  sought,  excluded  them  from  the  House  entirely, 
after  which,  they  met  for  public  worship  in  a  private  house  during 
the  remainder  of  their  stay  at  Stratford.     In  reply  to  this  indignity. 


40 

our  fathers  merely  addressed  a  letter  to  the  First  Church,  complain- 
ing of  the  injustice  done  them,  and  proposed  to  divide  the  town  into 
two  parts,  that  they  "might  go  and  live  by  themselves  and  have  no 
more  dissensions."  They  also  notified  them  that  they  should  apply 
to  the  next  session  of  the  Court  to  grant  them  this  indulgence.  It 
was  at  this  juncture  that  Governor  Winthrop,  affected  by  these  unhap- 
py controversies  and  animosities  subsisting  in  the  town,  advised  that 
Mr.  Walker  and  his  people  should  remove,  and  that  a  tract  of  land 
for  the  settlement  of  a  new  town  should  be  granted  for  their  encour- 
agement and  accommodation.  Accordingly,  the  General  Court,  on 
the  9th  of  May,  1672,  granted  to  Samuel  Sherman,  William  Curtiss, 
Joseph  Judson  and  John  Minor,  the  leading  members  of  Mr.  Walk- 
er's Church,  "liberty  to  erect  a  plantation  at  Pomperoage,"  provided 
that  any  "other  honest  inhabitants  of  Stratford"  should  have  liberty 
to  join  them  in  settling  there,  and  provided  they  should  "  enterteine 
so  many  inhabitants  as  the  plantation  would  conveniently  interteine." 

Thus  ended  a  controversy  that  had  agitated  the  minds  of  the  early 
fathers  for  about  eight  years.  During  the  whole  of  that  long  period 
of  disagreeing  opinions,  and  exciting  discussions,  it  will  be  found  by 
a  careful  examination  of  all  the  details,  the  future  founders  of  our 
town  ever  maintained  an  elevated  and  christian  tone,  tamper  and  aim. 
They  furnished  a  model  course  of  action  to  us,  their  descendants,  on 
all  occasions  of  conflict  of  interests  and  opinion.  It  might  be  inter- 
esting, did  time  permit,  and  it  were  pertinent  to  the  theme  of  the 
hour,  to  inquire  whether,  in  this  regard,  the  sacred  mantles  of  those 
revered  Elijahs  of  the  early  days,  have  fallen  upon  us,  their  descend- 
ants, the  custodians  of  their  moss-grown  graves !  Would  to  God 
we  could  truly  claim  their  stern,  conscientious  motives,  and  command 
of  passion,  in  times  Avhen  "  offenses  must  come ! " 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  this  controversy,  early  in  1668,  that  Mr. 
Walker  was  called  to  perform  pastoral  labors  among  the  people  of 
the  2nd  Church  of  Stratford,  now  the  First  Church  of  Woodbury. 
For  two  years  he  had  preached  to  them  without  ordination.  Among 
the  other  difficulties  under  which  his  friends  labored,  they  had  found 
no  opportunity  to  accomplish  this  desirable  point.  But  being  taunted 
by  the  First  Church,  on  account  of  their  disorganized  state,  being 
informed  that  they  would  hold  no  further  communication  with  them  till 
they  were  duly  organized,  and  there  being  no  longer  any  hope  of  arrange- 
ment with  the  other  party,  they  tbok  the  steps  necessary  to  "  embody 
in  Church  estate."  This  they  accomplished  on  the  1st  day  of  May, 
1670,  with  the  approval  of  the  churches  of  Fairfield,  Killingworth, 


41 

and  the  "  new  church  at  Windsor."  Mr.  Walker  was  ordained  on 
the  5th  of  May,  when  twenty  male  members  again  publicly  owned 
fheir  covenant,  the  gathering  of  the  church  having  been  done  by 
thgnselves  in  private,  on  account  of  the  great  opposition  to  them. 
Seven  more  male  members  were  admitted  a  few  days  after,  and  ten 
more,  six  of  whom  were  females,  were  added  previous  to  the  removal 
to  Pomperaug,  in  1672,  a  number  fully  equal  to  that  of  most  other 
churches  at  their  commencement.  This  was  an  honored  list  of  names, 
one  to  be  revered  by  the  dwellers  in  these  fair  vales,  while  time  sliall 
endure,  and  they  shall  retain  an  emotion  of  religious  sensibility,  or 
filial  gratitude. 

The  initial  point  from  which  dates  the  existence  of  Woodbury,  was 
the  grant  of  the  General  Court,  in  accordance  with  Gov.  Winthrop's 
recommendation,  in  1672.  As  this  grant  was  not  made  till  the  May 
Session,  it  was  too  late  for  our  forefathers  to  move  their  families  into 
the  wilderness  that  year ;  but  the  preliminary  arrangements  were 
immediately  commenced,  and  it  is  related  that  a  few  of  the  proprie- 
tors came  here,  and  raised  some  corn,  which  they  stored  in  log  cribs, 
but  when  they  returned  next  spring,  with  fifteen  families,  they 
found  that  the  wild  beasts  or  Indians  had  rifled  them  of  their  con- 
tents. By  some  mistake,  the  pioneer  company  passed  the  Pompe- 
raug, in  their  journey,  and  followed  up  the  Shepaug  some  miles  till 
they  discovered  their  error,  when  they  made  the  best  of  their  way 
over  the  hills  to  this  valley.  Arrived  upon  yonder  Good  Hill,  they 
perceived  the  valley  of  the  Pomperaug  lying  below  in  solitude  and 
silence.  Great  was  the  joy  of  these  pioneers  of  our  town,  on  this 
discovery,  and  it  is  related  that  Dea.  John  Minor  fell  on  his  knees, 
leading  in  prayer  that  little  band  of  hardy  adventurers,  invoking  the 
blessing  of  Heaven  upon  their  enterprise,  and  praying  that  their  pos- 
terity might  be  an  upright  and  godly  people  to  the  latest  generation. 
So  far  as  the  good  deacon's  own  posterity  is  concerned,  his  prayer 
seems  to  have  been  answered,  for  it  has  never  since  been  without  a 
Deacon  to  proffer  the  same  petition  !  And  on  the  morrow,  at  that 
sacred  retreat,  the  "Bethel  Rock"  of  our  fathers,  you  will  have  the 
opportunity  of  listening  to  the  same  pious  aspirations  from  one  of  his 
lineal  descendants,  inheritor  of  his  revered  surname  and  honorable 
office  ! 

The  pioneers   encamped   the  first  night  on  Good  Hill.     The  next 

day  they  proceeded  to  the  valleys,  to  examine  and  take  possession  of 

their  lands,  and  encamped   the  second  night  beneath  the  spreading 

branches  of  a  large  white  oak,  which  has  given  its  name  to  the  local- 

6 


42 

ity,  and  pieces  of  its  trunk,  long  since  prostrated  by  the  tempest,  are 
now  in  the  possession  of  many  persons,  preserved  with  religious  care 
as  mementoes  of  that  historic  old  tree.  After  having  examined  the 
whole  valley  from  East  Meadow  to  the  intervales  below  "  White  Qak 
Plain,"  following  the  Indian  trail  leading  from  Nonnewaug  Falls, 
nearly  in  the  line  of  the  present  Main  Street,  by  Pomperaug's  grave, 
to  the  Pootatuck  village  on  the  Housatonic,  they  pitched  their  tents 
permanently,  and  prepared  to  build  their  first  rude  habitations.  We 
have  full  evidence  from  the  Colony  records,  that  the  intervales  on  the 
Pomperaug  had  been  deprived  of  their  trees,  and  had  been  cul- 
tivated by  the  Indians  before  our  fathers  removed  here.  So  the  land 
was  in  some  measure  prepared  for  their  occupation.  All  their  dwel- 
lings, at  first,  were  built  of  logs,  the  nearest  saw-mill  being  at  the 
parent  town  of  Stratford,  twenty-five  miles  distant,  through  the  path- 
less woods.  But  these  habitations  passed  away  with  the  first 
generation,  and  comfortable  frame  dwellings  took  their  places.  The 
first  framed  house  was  located  in  Judson  Lane,  a  few  rods  west  of  the 
Fix'st  Congregational  Church.  They  were  built  in  a  substantial 
manner,  in  the  old  lean-to  style,  the  back  roof  running  nearly  to  the 
ground,  and  were  covered  with  rent  oak  clapboards.  Even  these 
dwellings  of  the  leading  men  would  be  considered  rude  ones,  at  least, 
at  the  present  day.  But  our  fathers  came  to  this  wilderness  to  enjoy 
the  ordinances  of  God,  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  con- 
sciences, and  to  extend  His  Church— not  to  gratify  worldly  am- 
bition. 

Among  the  preparations  which  the  early  fathers  made  for  their 
removal  hither,  was  a  code  of  laws,  or  articles  of  agreement  for  their 
government  after  their  arrival  at  the  place  of  destination,  quite  as 
carefully  drawn  as  that  written  covenant,  entered  into  by  the  Pilgrims 
before  they  left  the  Mayflower  to  pitch  their  tents  in  this  western 
land,  the  goal  of  all  their  hopes  and  prayers.  This  model  constitu- 
tion, containing  all  the  elements  of  civilization,  justice,  and  religious 
liberty,  has  been  preserved  to  us  entire.  It  is  the  perfect  germ, 
containing  all  the  elements  of  our  later  republican  constitutions.  It 
was  most  truly  a  form  of  government  founded  upon  the  "  consent  of 
the  governed  " — aye,  the  written  consent.  It  provided  that  as  many 
persons  should  be  admitted  into  the  plantation,  as  could  be  comfort- 
ably accommodated,  and  that  all  public  charges,  civil  and  ecclesiasti- 
cal, should  be  borne  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  their  home-lots,  the 
largest  being  twenty-five,  and  the  smallest  ten  acres,  while  a  bache- 
lor's right  could  be  no  more  than  five  acres,  just  half  that  of  the  least 


43 

opulent  married  man  !  Poor,  old  bachelor — unmated  specimen  of 
humanity  !  He  was  considered  of  little  account  in  a  new  community 
in  the  forest,  where  the  legitimate  increase  of  the  population  was  a 
prime  necessity !  It  was  further  provided,  that  considerable  tracts  of 
land  should  be  set  apart  for  the  support  of  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel,  and  also,  in  the  quaint  language  of  the  original  instrument, 
"a  parsell  of  land  for  ye  Incouriging  a  Schoole,  yt  learning  may  not 
be  neglected  to  children."  Each  was  obliged  to  pay  his  pro  rata  part 
of  the  purchase  of  the  plantation,  the  expenses  of  removal,  and  all 
other  public  charges,  within  ten  months  after  his  home-lot  was  laid 
out  to  him,  in  wheat,  peas,  and  pork,  in  equal  proportions.  Lastly, 
and  above  all,  it  was  stipulated,  that  for  the  purpose  of  remaining  in 
the  "  peaceable  enjoyment  of  that  way  of  Church  discipline  which 
they  were  persuaded  is  according  to  God,"  they  engaged,  each  for 
himself,  not  to  disturb  the  peace  of  the  plantation,  but  to  subject 
themselves,  personally,  "  to  that  Ecclesiastical  Government,  that 
should  be  there  established,  or  practiced  agreeably  to  ye  Word  of 
God." 

These  articles  were  subscribed,  March  20,  1672-3,  by  seventeen 
of  our  forefathers,  whose  names  should  be  written  in  letters  of  living 
light!  Sherman,  Judson,  Minor,  Curtiss,  Wheeler,  Wyatt,  Styles, 
Hinman,  Jenkins,  Johnson,  Munn,  Terrill,  Knowles,  Fairchild,  we 
fain  would  call  your  sainted  shades  from  the  regions  of  the  blest,  for 
one  brief  moment,  that  we  might  here  and  now  render  appropriate 
homage  to  your  ever-brilliant  and  glorious  example  !  But  three  of 
your  illustrious  names  have  ceased  to  have  living  representatives  in 
this  fair  territory  you  did  so  much  to  improve  and  bless.  Truly  has 
the  Scripture  been  fulfilled,  in  your  former  seats — "  I  have  never 
seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging  bread!"  Look 
kindly  down  upon  us,  assembled  here  with  filial  hearts  and  fond 
recollections,  and  breathe  a  fervent  benison  from  your  celestial 
homes! 

A  moment's  examination  will  show  the  wisdom  of  the  provisions 
of  the  first  solemn  governmental  covenant.  The  committee  of  prin- 
cipal men  composed  a  Court  to  judge  between  man  and  man,  doing 
justice  according  to  the  letter  of  God's  "written  word,"  until  a  town 
should  be  organized  under  the  jurisdiction  of  magistrates,  "  who  are 
appointed  of  God."  Imagine  to  yourselves  such  a  Court  of  God,  sit- 
ting in  solemn  state,  in  the  midst  of  these  virgin  wilds  and  pathless 
forests ! 

There  was  a  restriction  as  to  the  quantity  of  land  which  a  proprie- 


44 

tor  might  have.  No  one  could  have  more  than  twenty-five  acres  for 
his  home-lot,  and  other  divisions  in  proportion,  while  the  poorest  mar- 
ried man  was  entitled  to  ten ;  so  that  a  few  rich  planters  could  not 
control  the  colony.  It  was  desirable  in  those  early  days  of  danger 
from  savage  men  and  wild  beasts,  for  the  inhabitants  to  live  near 
together.  Their  home-lots  were  laid  out  on  both  sides  of  the  street 
with  narrow  fronts,  to  bring  their  houses  near  each  other  for  mutual 
protection. 

From  these  articles  we  learn«that  here,  as  in  all  other  early  New 
England  towns,  the  settlers  had  a  particular  regard  for  the  establish- 
ment of  religious  institutions.  It  was  their  design  to  erect  churches 
in  strict  conformity  to  scripture  example,  and  to  transmit  evangelical 
purity,  in  doctrine,  worship  and  discipline,  with  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  to  their  posterity.  So  great  was  the  attention  paid  to  these 
interesting  points,  that  they  not  only  made  ample  provision  for  the 
minister,  who  was  to  remove  with  them,  but  they  also  sequestered 
lands  for  the  future  support  of  the  ministry,  which  went  under  the 
name  of  the  "  parsonage  lands." 

Another  truly  New  England  feature  in  this  their  first  solemn  agree- 
ment, is  seen  in  the  ample  provision  made  for  a  school,  "  that  learn- 
ing might  not  be  neglected  to  the  children."  Our  fathers,  though  living 
under  Kingly  rule,  were  republicans,  rejecting  with  abhorrence  the  doc- 
trines of  the  divine  right  of  Kings,  passive  obedience  and  non-resis- 
tance. Upon  these  principles  they  formed  their  civil  institutions. 
They  thought  the  church  should  be  accompanied  by  the  school-house, 
religious  principle  by  an  educated  and  ennobled  understanding.  In 
this  way,  they  judged,  intelligence  and  good  morals  could  best  be 
propagated. 

We  notice,  also,  the  poverty  of  our  ancestors  at  this  time,  and  the 
entire  want  of  a  metalic,  or  paper  currency.  All  the  expenses  grow- 
ing out  of  the  purchase  and  settlement  of  the  plantation,  were  to  be 
paid  in  wheat,  peas  and  pork,  in  equal  proportions,  as  to  value,  and 
if  any  settler  was  so  poor  that  he  could  not  obtain  a  surplus  of  these, 
beyond  the  wants  of  his  own  family,  then  he  was  to  pay  in  other  arti- 
cles to  the  satisfaction  of  the  committee  having  charge  of  the  expen- 
ses of  the  settlement. 

It  might,  to  the  careless  observer,  seem  frivolous  to  have  a  celebra- 
tion, and  deliver  long  addresses  in  commemoration  of  so  trivial  an 
affair  as  the  founding  of  a  single  town.  The  satisfactory  answer  is 
that  the  limits  of  our  town  comprised  a  whole  county,  and  that  the 
number,  worth  and  standing  of  the  noble  men  that  founded  it,  and 


45 

removed  here  during  the  first  two  years  of  its  settlement,  was  fully 
equal  to  that  of  most  of  the  New  England  colonies  at  the  date  of 
their  settlement.  There  were  but  forty-one  signei's  to  the  articles  on 
board  of  the  May  Flower,  on  the  11th  of  November,  1620,  for  the 
founding  of  the  ever  celebrated  colony  of  Plymouth,  the  pioneer  colo- 
ny to  our  immense  continent,  save  the  failure  of  Jamestown,  Va. 
The  first  grant  of  the  entire  colony  of  Connecticut  was  made  to  eleven 
persons,  and  the  first  three  towns  in  1635,  were  settled  by  about  sixty 
persons,  men,  women  and  children,  or  twenty  to  each  town,  a  much 
smaller  number  than  that  which  first  colonized  Woodbur}^.  Roger 
Williams  pitched  his  tent  at  Providence,  founded  Rhode  Island,  and 
formed  a  body  politic  for  the  advancement  of  religious. freedom,  when 
his  followers,  including  himself,  numbered  only  eighteen.  Massachu- 
setts Bay  colony  had  a  still  smaller  beginning.  At  first,  it  was  nearly 
a  failure,  and  for  a  considerable  time  was  held  only  by  Roger  Conant 
and  three  other  "  disheartened  companions,"  and  yet  in  his  lofty  trust, 
he  believed  that  "  God  would  make  this  land  a  receptacle  for  his 
people."  Let  it  not  be  considered,  then,  that  the  founding  of  Wood- 
bury was  an  inconsiderable,  or  trivial  affair.  The  history  of  an 
early  Connecticut  town  is  the  history  of  a  Colony,  a  State,  or  the 
Union,  in  miniature.  In  no  way  can  we  form  so  accurate  an  estimate 
of  the  dangers  and  difficulties  that  beset  our  fathers,  the  hardship's 
borne,  and  the  labors  performed,  to  secure  the  liberty  and  unnum- 
bered blessings,  which  we  now  enjoy,  as  by  a  perfect  history  of  the 
events  and  struggles  of  such  a  town. 

In  these  days  of  civilization  and  refinement,  surrounded  by  the 
comforts,  conveniences  and  luxuries  of  life,  we  can  little  estimate  the 
hardships  and  difficulties  encountered  by  the  sainted  men  and  women 
who  first  trod  these  smiling  valleys,  subdued  the  uncompromising  wil- 
derness, and  made  the  howling  wastes  to  "  bud  and  blossom  as  the 
rose."  Here  they  came,  in  their  lofty  trust,  having  no  cover  for  their 
heads  but  the  over-arching  heavelis,  no  lodgings  for  their  weary  and 
travel-worn  bodies  but  such  as  nature  afforded.  The  men  of  the 
present  day  may  carelessly  smile  at  the  idea  of  our  fathers'  thinking 
so  much  of  a  journey  to  or  from  the  sea-coast,  or  even  from  Wood- 
bury to  Bethlem,  as  we  are  told  they  did.  But  they  forget  the  obsta- 
cles and  dangers  they  had  to  encounter.  They  forget  there  were  no 
public  roads,  and  no  vehicles,  that  could  be  employed  for  the  trans- 
portation of  their  goods.  There  were  no  railroads,  nor  steamboats, 
running  in  all  directions  with  the  swiftness  of  the  wind.  The  first 
females,  as  well  as  the  males,  went  on  foot,  or  on  horseback,  through 


46 

a  trackless  wilderness,  guided  by  marks  upon  trees,  or  feeling  their 
way,  wherever  they  could  find  room  to  pass.  In  the  midst  of  the 
first  drear  winter  their  provisions  gave  out,  and  some  of  the  settlers 
were  obliged  to  take  their  way  through  the  pathless  forests  to  the 
older  settlements  for  food  to  sustain  them  during  the  remaining  wintry 
months.  Some  of  those  sturdy  men  went  to  Stratford,  a  distance  of 
twenty-five  miles,  with  hand-sleds,  and  returned  laden  with  corn  for 
their  pressing  necessities.  We  can  have  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  dan- 
gers that  surrounded  those  early  founders,  on  such  a  journey,  exposed 
to  all  the  perils  and  privations  of  those  interior  forests.  They  were 
surrounded  by  numerous  red  men,  fierce  and  cruel,  who  could  have 
destroyed  them  at  any  hour,  in  their  isolated  and  feeble  condition. 
Added  to  their  lack  of  bread,  the  pioneers  had  neither  dwellings,  nor 
clothing  sufiicient  to  prevent  sufiering.  Should  any  emergency  hap- 
pen, they  were  cut  off  from  any  succor,  or  effective  i-etreat.  What 
a  sad  beginning  had  these  now  fair  and  opulent  towns  on  the  Pom- 
peraug  and  Shepaug ! 

It  was  necessary  to  erect  and  fortify  houses,  to  make  roads  for 
their  convenience  to  the  parent  town,  that  in  times  of  danger  they 
might  fly  for  safety,  and  to  spend  much  time  in  watchings,  trainings, 
and  preparation  for  the  defense  of  themselves  and  children.  Every 
thing  was  to  be  constructed  from  rude  materials,  or  brought  from  a 
great  distance,  and  procured  at  a  dear  rate.  There  could  be  no  safe- 
ty but  in  constant  preparation,  for  any  emergency  that  might  arise. 
They  were  obliged,  with  little  previous  knowledge  of  the  art,  to  break 
ground  on  bare  creation,  drawing  their  subsistence  from  an  unwilling, 
virgin  soil!  Thai Jif teen  families,  in  the  wilderness,  before  they  had 
time  to  provide  for  their  own  pressing  wants,  should  undertake  to 
support  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  shows  the  enduring  confidence,  the 
lofty  trust  of  those  men  of  iron  nerve !  They  had  no  shipping,  and 
nothing  to  export.  Every  thing  must  be  manufactured  by  themselves, 
or  they  must  go  without  the  indispensable  necessaries  of  life.  They 
being  only  tillers  of  the  soil,  must  become  their  own  carpenters,  black- 
smiths, shoemakers,  clothiers  and  tailors !  And  in  one  respect  it  was 
well.  They  thus  learned  the  dignity  of  labor,  in  every  department. 
"  The  grim  present  was  lowering  upon  them  with  all  its  sharp  and 
angular  realities." 

But  they  accepted  the  chances,  with  a  firm  reliance  on  Providence. 
Amid  all  their  difficulties  they  forgot  not  the  reverence  due  their 
holy  religion.  So  strict  were  they  in  their  religious  views,  and  so 
high  was  their  regard  for  the  Sabbath,  that  they  scrupled  even  to 


47 

call  the  first  day  of  the  week  by  its  heathen,  or  idolatrous  name  of 
Sun-day,  and  they  always,  when  they  had  occasion  to  allude  to  the 
day,  called  it  either  the  Lord's  day  or  the  Sabbath.  For  the  same 
reason,  Monday  was  called  the  second  day,  Tuesday  the  third  day, 
and  so  of  the  rest.  That  they  might  not  acknowledge,  in  the  least 
degree,  the  authority  of  the  Pope,  in  speaking  of  the  apostles,  Peter 
and  Paul,  they  invariably  omitted  the  prefix,  "  Saint,"  and  even  the 
poor  isle  of  St.  Christopher's  ha^  its  saintly  prefix  similarly  disposed 
of,  and  left  in  obscurity. 

It  has  been  seen  that  all  the  ideas  of  our  fathers  were  essentially 
religious,  and  that  the  pious  sentiment  entered  into  everything. 
Even  in  the  exhibitions  of  the  tender  emotions,  and  in  the  prelim- 
inary ceremonies  of  a  matrimonial  alliance,  they  ever  exhibited  the 
same  grave  countenance,  and  air  of  devotion,  as  when  going  to  a 
pi'ayer-meeeting.  Perhaps  they  were  the  only  people  who  treated 
the  subject  with  the  consideration  due  to  that  most  important  and 
indissoluble  union  of  "  Kindred  hearts."  But  the  "  course  of  true 
love  "  was  usually  urgent.  There  was  no  time  for  "  billing  and  coo- 
ing," much  less  for  vain  flirtations !  As  an  instance  of  the  way  in 
which  the  thing  was  done,  take  the  following  characteristic  example  : 
John  Minor,  Jr.,  being  seriously  inclined,  by  the  state  of  his  affec- 
tions, unto  the  blooming  and  comely  damsel,  Sarah  Judson,  imme- 
diately mounted  his  horse,  with  a  deer-skin  for  a  saddle,  and  rode  over 
in  front  of  the  house  of  the  fair  Sarah's  father.  Without  dismount- 
ing, he  sent  for  her  to  come  out  to  him,  and  on  her  complying  with 
the  request,  he  informed  her  plainly,  that  the  Lord  had  sent  him 
to  marry  her.  At  this  startling  announcement,  the  sensible  maid, 
neither  fainting  in  the  present  fashionable  mode,  nor  asking  time  to 
consult  her  mamma,  replied  with  hearty  good  wTll,  "  Here  is  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord — His  will  be  done  ! "  What  else  could  the 
maiden  do  ;  for  John  was  a  good  man,  and  she  believed  both  him 
and  his  message !  There  was  npthing  more  to  be  done,  than  to  get 
on  horseback  the  next  Sabbath  eve,  and  sitting  on  a  pillion,  behind 
her  messenger  from  the  Lord,  ride  to  the  parsonage,  and  be  duly  join- 
ed in  the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock.  Of  the  fruits  of  that  primitive 
marriage,  there  are  many  representatives  here  to-day ! 

Doubtless  the  question  has  often  occurred  to  each  of  us,  how  did 
our  fathers  and  mother's  dress  ?  What  were  their  costumes  and  fash 
ions  ?  By  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  our  "Antique  Committee," 
this  question  has  been  very  satisfactorily  answered  here  to-day,  by 
their  actual,  not   "  counterfeit   presentment."      You  have   seen  an 


48 

"  early  father,"  a  fine  old  English  gentleman,  in  small  clothes  and 
coat  of  brown  silk,  white  plaited  rufles,  powdered  hair,  and  cocked 
hat.  You  have  seen  an  "early  mother,"  in  ash-colored  brocade, 
with  white  damask  skirt,  open  in  front,  high-heeled  shoes,  with  large 
buckles,  and  an  enormous  bonnet.  You  have  seen  the  Puritan  cos- 
tume contrasted  with  that  of  the  Cavalier  of  the  same  age.  But  these 
were  the  holiday  suits,  brought  from  old  England,  and  belonging  only 
to  the  more  opulent  citizens.  After  the  first  settlement  here,  such 
rich  articles  for  long  years  were  "  rarities  under  the  sun."  All  the 
garments  of  both  sexes  were  of  homespun,  of  their  own  manufacture, 
from  the  raw  material  to  the  perfected  garment.  The  small  clothes, 
and  even  the  coats  of  the  men  were  often  made  of  deer-skins  and 
leather.  Nothing  is  more  commonly  mentioned  in  the  early  invento- 
I'ies  of  estates.  And  yet,  amid  all  this  rigid  simplicity,  the  General 
Court,  four  years  after  the  settling  of  Woodbury,  passed  an  act  against 
the  excess  of  apparel  among  the  people,  as  "  unbecoming  a  wilderness 
condition,  and  the  profession  of  the  gospel ; "  ordering,  that  any  per- 
son who  should  wear  any  clothing,  that  should  be  "  apparently  beyond 
the  necessary  end  of  apparel  for  covering,  or  comeliness"  should,  on 
due  conviction,  forfeit  ten  shillings  for  every  offence !  How  great  a 
commotion  would  be  made  by  the  passage  of  such  a  law,  in  these 
days  of  expanded  crinoline,  and  of  lengthened  Shanghai  coats ! 

So  numerous  had  the  arrivals  of  our  ancestors  become  in  the  new 
plantation  of  Pomperaug,  during  the  year  1673,  that  at  the  May 
session  of  the  General  Court,  in  1674,  it  was  made  a  town,  called 
"Woodbury,  and  exempted  from  taxes  for  four  }iears.  In  May,  1675, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out  a  road  to  Derby,  and  Stratford 
was  ordered  to  construct  a  road  to  the  same  place.  This  committee 
did  not  report  till  May,  1677,  and  it  is  probable,  that  it  was  not  com- 
pleted under  several  years.  So  that  the  settlers  remained  secluded 
from  all  the  world  for  many  years. 

But  far  more  serious  evils  awaited  the  adventurous  pioneers  in  this 
"  dwelling  place  of  the  wood."  In  June,  1675,  King  Philip's  war 
broke  out,  and  filled  this  and  the  neighboring  colonies  witli  the  gloom 
and  terror,  which  always  accompany  Indian  warfare.  The  startling 
intelligence  of  a  general  combination  of  all  the  eastern  tribes  for  the 
utter  extermination  of  the  white  race,  fell  with  a  sad  cadence  on  the 
aifiicted  ears  of  our  fathers.  Philip  with  his  fierce  band  of  relentless 
warriors,  appeared  suddenly  on  the  scene  of  action,  and  misery  and 
destruction  followed  in  his  trail.  Every  portion  of  the  colony  suffered 
from  the  predatory  excursions  of  the   savages,  and  continual  alarms. 


49 

The  frontier  towns,  like  "Woodbiuy,  were  particularly  exposed  to  de- 
struction. The  General  Court,  deeply  affected  with  the  apparent 
danger,  enacted  military  regulations  of  the  most  careful  and  rigorous 
kind.  It  was  equivalent  to  putting  the  whole  colony  under  martial 
law.  Sixty  soldiers  were  to  be  raised  in  each  county,  places  for  de- 
fence and  refuge  to  be  immediately  fortified  in  every  plantation,  dis- 
obedience of  orders  in  time  of  attack  to  be  punished  with  death,  and 
no  male,  between  the  ages  of  fourteen  and  seventy,  to  be  suffered  to 
leave  the  colony  without  permission.  Each  plantation  was  obliged  to 
keep  a  sufficient  watch  from  sunset  to  sunrise,  and  to  keep  one-fourth 
of  the  town  in  arms  every  day,  taking  regular  turns.  The  watch  was 
directed  to  call  up  every  man  in  the  town,  an  hour  before  day,  and 
each  one  was  directed  to  arm  himself,  repair  to  his  appointed  ward, 
and  there  stand  guard,  ready  to  repel  any  attack  till  half  an  hour 
after  sunrise,  when  the  "  warders"  again  took  their  places.  Scouts 
on  horseback  were  also  sent  into  the  woods  each  day  to  look  for  the 
foe,  with  directions  to  go  only  so  far  as  to  enable  them  to  return  by 
nightfall.  These  orders  were  carried  out  with  alacrity,  by  our  town. 
This  was  then  the  most  remote  north-western  town  in  the  colony,  and 
one  of  the  most  exposed.  It  was  known,  both  by  the  whites  and  Indians, 
that  persons  sleep  soundest  just  before  dawn,  and  hence  the  order  that 
every  inhabitant  should  be  awakened  by  the  watch,  and  called  to  arms 
an  hour  before  day.  Guards  were  stationed  on  Lodge,  Orenaug  and 
Castle  Rocks,  to  watch  for  the  enemy,  and  protect  the  inhabitants. 
Fortified  houses  were  erected  on  Lodge  Rock,  and  near  Mr.  Nathan 
Warner's  dwelling-house  in  Judson  Lane,  to  receive  the  settlers  in 
case  of  assault.  It  is  more  than  difficult,  at  this  distance  of  time,  to 
realize  the  trials  and  alarms,  which  must  exist  in  feeble  communities, 
reminded  each  morning  of  their  desperate  condition  by  regulations  of 
such  severity,  as  those  that  had  been  adopted.  Every  effort  was  made 
for  the  public  safety,  but  the  dangers  thickened  so  darkly  around  them, 
that  the  settlers  were  obliged,  early  in  the  summer,  to  remove  their 
wives  and  little  ones  to  Stratford,  "  a  place,"  as  stated  in  their  char- 
acteristic language,  "  of  more  hopeful  security."  This  was  rendered 
the  more  necessary,  because  their  men,  as  often  as  they  went  to  the 
"sea-side  towns"  on  their  necessary  business,  were  pressed  into  the 
service.  So  that,  as  we  learn  from  an  autograph  letter  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Walker,  in  October,  1676,  a  greater  number  of  men  from  Woodbury, 
proportioned  to  its  population,  was  engaged  in  Philip's  war,  than  from 
any  other  town  in  the  colony.  Notwithstanding  all  these  discourage- 
ments and  dangers,  our  fathers,  after  having  conducted  their  house- 
7 


50 

bold  flocks  to  Stratford,  returned  to  Woodbury,  raised  and  secured 
tbeir  crojis,  and  carried  them  to  Stratford  in  tbe  autumn. 

But  the  plantation  was  by  no  means  given  up.     During  the  year 

1677,  the  inhabitants  slowly  returned  to  the  new  settlement.     In  May? 

1678,  the  General  Court  ordered  the  remainder  to  return  by  the  1st 
of  November,  on  pain  of  forfeiting  their  lands  in  the  town.  Imme- 
diately after  this,  the  town  passed  a  vote,  that  the  order  of  the  court 
should  be  strictly  enforced,  and  requested  the  Town  Clerk  to  write  a 
letter  to  those  who  neglected  to  return,  urging  them  to  come  back  to 
tbeir  lands.  In  writing  this  letter,  the  clerk,  Capt.  John  Minor,  urged 
them  to  retui'n,  saying,  "  Friends,  it  is  far  from  our  desire,  that  any 
of  you  should  be  abused  by  this  act  of  ours.  "We  covet  not  your 
lands  but  your  company.  We  desire  not  to  displease  any  of  you,  but 
if  we  cannot  please  you  upon  lower  terms  than  by  undoing  ourselves, 
we  assure  you  that  we  cannot  come  to  that  price."  This  action  of 
the  court  and  town  brought  the  wandering  children  home.  In  June 
of  this  year,  Mr.  Walker  came  with  his  family  to  reside  permanently 
with  his  people  at  Woodbury.  Previous  to  this  time,  his  family  had 
resided  at  Stratford,  and  he  ha*d  ministered  at  both  places  as  occasion 
required.  The  house-holders  at  this  time  probably  numbered  about 
sixty.  It  is  known  that  there  were  as  many  as  that  four  years  later. 
This  would  show  the  whole  population  to  be  about  three  or  four  hun- 
dred. 

Previous  to  this  date,  they  had  bad  no  corn  mill,  and  had  no  flour 
or  meal,  except  such  as  they  could  get  occasionally  at  Stratford. 
Even  on  wedding  occasions,  those  times  of  great  interest  among  all 
nations,  the  principal  dishes,  at  the  marriage  feast,  Avere  bean  por- 
ridge for  the  soup,  and  for  the  other  courses,  an  enormous  plate  of  pork 
and  beans.  How  would  such  .a  wedding  entertainment  suit  the  notions 
of  our  lady  friends  of  the  present  day  ?  They  would,  indeed,  feel  that 
they  had  fallen  on  evil  times  !  There  is  but  one  late  instance  on  re- 
cord, in  this  town,  of  keeping  up  this  time-honored  custom  of  our  Pu- 
ritan mothers,  and  that  occurred  a  few  years  ago  up  in  Flanders,  on 
the  occasion  of  the  marriage  of  a  certain  military  gentleman,  who 
bears  one  of  Woodbury's  early  and  honored  names. 

But  this  deprivation  was  too  great  to  be  borne  by  our  fathers,  and 
accordingly,  they  procured  a  set  of  small  mill-stones  at  Stratford,  so 
diminutive  in  size,  that  they  brought  them  here  through  the  forests 
on  horseback,  'i  hey  prepared  mill-gearing,  built  •  a  small  shed  on 
Middle  Quarter  Brook,  a  few  rods  easterly  from  Dea.  Eli  Summers' 
house,  and  set  their  mill  in  operation.     It  is  said  that  when  it  was  in 


51 

complete  running  order,  it  would  grind  the  enormous  quantity  of  one 
bushel  per  day.  Great  was  the  rejoicing  of  our  fjxthers,  when  this 
vast  improvement  was  achieved.  Each  settler,  in  turn,  carried  his 
grist  to  the  mill  in  the  morning,  set  it  in  motion,  and  went  for  the  meal 
at  night.  And  here,  my  friends,  is  one  of  those  self-same  mill-stones  !* 
Here  is  a  highly  interesting  relic  of  the  early  days,  which  carries  us 
back  in  memory  to  the  long  ended  toils  and  sufferings  of  our  fathers. 
Long  let  this  rude  memorial  be  preserved  as  a  rare  and  sacred  frag- 
ment, which  has  escaped  the  i-avages  of  "  time's  eifacing  finger !" 

The  next  important  event  was  the  erection  of  a  house  of  public 
worship.  As  soon  as  the  settlers  were  located,  and  began  to  have 
some  of  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life,  their  thoughts  naturally 
turned  to  this  prime  object  in  a  New  England  plantation,  in  which 
they  might  enjoy  the  ministrations  of  the  gospel.  In  the  early  years 
of  their  settlement,  they  had  worshipped  in  each  others'  houses,  in 
the  incle'fnent  months  of  the  year,  and  during  the  summer  months, 
had  convened  in  the  stillness  of  the  Sabbath  morn,  in  a  beautiful  and 
retired  spot,  on  the  East  side  of  the  Orenaug  Rocks,  between  the 
cliffs,  with  their  sentinels  placed  on  the  toj)  of  the  adjacent  rocks,  to 
guard  against  surprise  from  savage  foes,  and  there  made  "  the  sound- 
ing aisles  of  the  dim  woods  "  vocal  with  the  high  praises  of  God.  By 
the  rude,  pulpit-like  boulder,  still  standing  in  that  lonely  dell,  we  may, 
in  imagination,  see  the  faithful  Walker  addressing  his  attentive  hear- 
ers, and  delivering  to  them  the  words  of  "truth  and  soberness." 
This  spot  received  the  name  of  Bethel  Rock  from  this  ciBcumstance, 
and  has  ever  been  held  as  a  consecrated  place  by  the  descendants  of 
those  early  Christian  fathers,  whither  they  have,  at  times,  resorted, 
for  meditation  and  prayer,  to  the  present  day. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  was  to  detei'mine  the  location  of  the 
new  house.  The  church  selected  Deputy  Governor  Robert  Treat, 
afterwards  Governor  of  the  Colony,  and  Major  Nathan  Gold,  as  a 
committee  to  fix  the  location.  They  met  here  178  years  ago  to-day, 
to  hear  the  matter,  and  to-morrow,  we  shall  celebrate  the  anniversary 
of  the  "  pitching  down  the  stake,"  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the 
carriage-house  of  our  worthy  president,  where  they  built  the  first 
Meeting  House,  in  which  our  fathers  worshipped  for  the  long  period 
of  sixty-six  years  in  the   Congregational  mode,  and  afterwards,  for 

*  At  this  moment  the  cloth  was  removed  from  the  speaker's  desk,  and  one  of 
the  mill  stones  was  disclosed  to  view,  from  which  uncovered,  the  remainder  of  the 
addi-ess  was  read,  as  well  as  the  other  addresses  of  the  occasion. 


52 

thirty-eight  years  in  the  Episcopal  mode.  The  seats  in  this  edifice 
were  raised  one  above  another,  on  either  side  of  the  center  of  the 
house,  the  pulpit  being,  as  usual,  at  the  end  of  the  house  opposite  the 
entrance.  The  people  were  called  to  church,  on  the  Sabbath,  by  the 
beat  of  a  drum  upon  the  rock  on  which  the  Masonic  Lodge  stands. 
The  same  instrument  was  used  to  call  the  people  together  on  other 
days  in  the  week,  and  for  other  purposes.  It  beat  for  town  meetings, 
for  the  assembling  of  the  ti-ain-band,  and  in  cases  of  alarm  in  time  of 
war.  There  was  a  particular  beat  for  each  of  these  occasions ;  but 
what  was  the  difference  in  the  roll  of  the  drum  ecclesiastical,  the  drum 
military,  and  the  drum  civil,  is  not  now  known.  The  people  carried 
their  arms  to  church,  and  some  guarded  the  sanctuary,  while  the  othei's 
worshipped  the  "  Lord  of  Hosts." 

Within  the  walls  of  this  edifice,  Mr.  Walker  continued  to  labor  till 
his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  20,  1699-1700,  or  Jan.  31, 1700,  ac- 
cording to  new  style.  He  was  a  man  of  solid  attainments,  a  fervid 
and  powerful  preacher,  greatly  beloved  by  the  people  of  his  charge. 
He  conducted  the  affairs  of  his  church  with  commendable  discretion, 
and  both  that  and  the  infant  town  flourished  during  his  administration. 
Under  him  the  church  had  secured  a  firm  foundation,  notwithstanding 
all  the  trials  and  hardships  that  beset  its  earlier  years.  After  a  life 
of  usefulness,  "  y*  faithful,  worthy,  beloved  Minister  of  the  Gospel, 
and  much  lamented  Pastor  of  y''  Chh  of  Christ,"  was  gathered  to  his 
fathers,  and  his  remains  repose  in  the  Southern  part  of  the  ancient 
burial  ground.  He  sleeps  amid  the  faithful  flock  to  whom  he  minis- 
tered in  life.  A  rude  head-stone  of  native  rock,  containing  only  his 
name  and  the  date  of  his  death,  so  worn  and  obliterated  by  the  storms 
of  160  years,  that  the  name  can  scarcely  be  deciphered,  is  all  that 
remains  to  mark  the  place  of  sepulture  of  this  "  early  founder." 
Often,  as  I  have  passed  with  silent,  thoughtful  feet,  the  lowly  grave 
which  holds  his  sacred  dust  till  the  resurrection  morn,  I  have  had  a 
solemn,  passing  thought,  that  this  hallowed  spot  deserved  a  fitting 
memorial !  It  may  seem  strange  to  the  casual  visitor  within  our 
borders,  that  the  town  he  so  much  improved,  blessed  and  honored  by 
his  public  and  private  virtues,  has  not  long  since  erected  a  fit  and  fil- 
ial monument  to  the  memory  of  its  earliest,  and  most  faithful  servant. 
It  is  to  be  hoped,  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant,  when  this  debt  of 
gratitude  shall  have  been  paid. 

In  1700,  Rev.  Anthony  Stoddard  commenced  preaching  to  the 
people,  and  in  1702,  was  ordained  over  the  church.  Rev.  Mr. 
Chauncey,  of  Stratford,  having  forgotten  all  former  difficulties,  was 


53 

one  of  the  officiating  clergymen  on  the  occasion.  The  town  built 
him  a  house,  commencing  its  erection  in  1700,  and  it  still  stands  at 
the  lower  end  of  the  village,  in  the  midst  of  this  beautiful  valley, 
with  the  hoary  Castle  Rock  for  a  back  ground.  It  is  a  venerable 
relic  of  the  early  days  of  the  town — one  of  the  few  links  connecting 
us  with  a  former  generation  !  It  is  a  thing  of  history  in  a  historical 
locality.  Long  may  it  remain  to  remind  us  of  the  virtues  of  the  de- 
parted, and  of  all  that  is  valuable  in  the  past. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Stoddard  was  remarkable  for  its  duration,  and 
the  prosperity  which  attended  it.  From  the  date  of  his  first  sermon, 
as  a  candidate,  to  his  last,  immediately  preceding  the  brief  illness 
that  terminated  his  useful  labors,  he  numbered  sixty  years  in  his 
holy  calling,  and  great  peace  and  harmony  ever  prevailed  under  his 
administrations.  The  number  of  communicants  was  always  large, 
notwithstanding  four  large  societies  were  taken  from  his  limits  during 
his  ministry.  These  were  Southbury  in  1730,  Bethlehem  in  1739, 
Judea  in  1741,  and  Roxbury  in  1743.  The  good  work  seemed  con- 
stantly to  glow  under  his  hands,  with  a  steadiness  rarely  equaled. 
The  whole  number  by  him  admitted  to  full  communion,  was  474,  to 
the  half  way  covenant,  142,  and  1540  received  baptism  at  his  hands. 

To  his  ministerial  labors  he  joined  those  of  a  lawyer  and  physi- 
cian. Like  many  of  the  early  ministers,  he  prepared  himself  for  the 
practice  of  medicine,  that  he  might  administer  to  the  wants  of  the 
body  as  well  as  those  of  the  mind.  In  this  capacity  he  was  often 
called.  He  acquired  a  very  good  legal  knowledge  for  those  early 
days.  This  was  the  more  necessary,  as  at  the  beginning  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  there  were  but  few  lawyers  in  the  Colony,  and  as 
late  as  1730,  an  act  was  passed  limiting  the  number  of  lawyers,  that 
might  practice,  to  three  in  Hartford  County,  and  two  in  each  of  the 
other  counties.  He  was  Clerk  of  Probate  for  a  period  of  forty  years, 
during  which  time  he  drew  most  of  the  wills  of  his  parishioners,  and 
did  the  greater  part  of  the  business  of  the  office,  the  Judge  for  the 
time  being,  approving  his  acts.  All  the  records  of  the  Court,  during 
the  time  he  was  Clerk,  appear  in  his  hand  writing.  He  was  also  one 
of  the  largest  farmers  in  the  town.  After  a  life  of  arduous  and  suc- 
cessful labor,  the  second  pastor,  at  a  good  old  age,  entered  into  his 
rest.  He  died,  Sept.  6,  1760,  in  the  83d  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
61st  of  his  ministry,  after  a  severe  illness  of  "  about  two  days  con- 
tinuance." He  lived  and  died  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  his  people. 
He  lies  buried  in  the  central  part  of  the  old  burial-ground,  and  there 
reposes,  suxTounded  by  a  numerous  congregation,  slumbering  in  death, 


64 

very  many  of  whom  he  himself  had  followed  to  the  grave.  As  in 
life  he  was  ever  united  to  his  people,  so  in  death,  they  are  not  divided. 
There  let  them  rest  together,  till  the  last  "  great  trump "  shall  call 
them  to  a  bright  re-union  around  the  throne  of  God. 

For  a  period  of  more  than  fifty-seven  years  after  the  first  settle- 
ment of  Pomperaug,  the  inhabitants  had  formed  but  one  ecclesiastical 
society.  On  the  day  of  sacred  rest,  and  on  other  occasions,  the 
hardy  pioneers  of  this  forest  town  had  assembled  in  the  old  meeting- 
house of  the  "Ancient  Society  "  in  this  lovely  valley,  and  oflPered  up 
their  devotions  to  the  ever-living  God,  as  an  "  undivided  whole." 
For  six  or  eight  miles  in  all  directions,  these  men  of  God  descended 
from  the  breezy,  life-invigorating  hills,  and  emerged  fi'ora  their  rural 
homes  in  the  sweet  valleys,  hastening  "  to  the  temple,"  to  worship 
the  benign  Ruler  of  the  universe.  In  storm  and  in  sunshine,  in 
summer's  heat  and  winter's  cold,  they  "  performed  their  vows,"  and 
forgot  not  the  "assembling  of  themselves  together."  Amidst  the 
wilds  they  sung,  and  the  stars  heard,  and  the  lea  !  Their  aftections, 
during  this  long  period,  had  entwined  themselves  around  the  "  old 
sanctuary."  They  loved  their  old  pastor,  and  scarcely  the  great 
inconveniences  suffered  by  the  remote  parts  of  the  town  could  induce 
them  to  think  of  forming  new  societies,  and  new  church  relations. 

But  the  time  at  length  ca'me,  when  it  seemed  necessary  for  them 
to  separate,  and  attempt  the  formation  of  new  societies,  and  the 
burden  of  supporting  other  ministers.  In  addition  to  the  four  new 
societies  already  mentioned,  that  had  been  constituted  from  the  terri- 
tory of  the  first  society.  South  Britain  was  set  off  and  incorporated  a 
society  in  1766,  and  still  later,  Oxford  and  Middlebury  societies  were 
formed,  in  part  from  its  territory.  All  these  societies  were  the  germs 
of  new  towns.  Judea,  together  with  the  society  of  New  Preston,  was 
made  a  town  in  January,  1779.  It  was  the  first  town  in  the  State, 
incorporated  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  was  called 
Washington,  in  honor  of  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  American 
armies.  Southbury  and  Bethlem  were  incorporated  in  1787,  Rox- 
bury  in  1796,  Oxford  in  1798,  and  Middlebury  in  1807.  All  these 
societies  and  towns  were  planted  by  the  good  old  pioneer  stock,  men 
accustomed  to  the  privations  of  the  Avilderness.  In  1816,  another 
large  and  flourishing  church  was  formed  out  of  the  First  Church,  and 
it  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the  "  Strict  Congregational 
Society,"  with  the  same  territorial  limits  as  the  first  society. 

For  nearly  seventy  years  after  the  first  settling  of  the  town,  there 
were  no  churches  within  its  limits,  except  those  of  the  Congrega- 


55 

lional,  or  "  Standing  Order."  Our  fathers  emigrated  to  this  country 
to  enjoy  their  religion,  not  only  free  from  persecution,  but  without 
interruption  from  Christians  of  diiferent  sentiments-  They  were 
desirous,  as  all  churches  had  been  before  them,  of  maintaining  a 
uniformity  of  doctrine  and  worship.  Correct  views  of  religious  lib- 
erty were  not  then  held  in  any  Christian  country,  and  toleration 
was  not  a  virtue  of  that  age.  But  our  fathers  were  far  in  advance  of 
the  rest  of  the  world  in  learning  and  adopting  that  truly  Christian 
virtue.  By  the  very  first  code  of  laws  ever  published  in  the  colony, 
in  1672,  all  denominations  of  Christians  were  allowed  to  worship 
God  in  their  own  way,  provided  they  did  not  commit  a  breach  of  the 
peace.  It  is  true,  that  all  were  obliged  to  contribute  to  the  support 
of  the  regular  minister ;  but  this  was  but  the  carrying  out  of  a  con- 
tract on  the  part  of  the  people,  for  the  only  price  they  paid  for  their 
lands  consisted  in  bearing  their  pro  rata  share  of  the  amount  paid 
the  Indians,  the  joint  expenses  of  removal,  the  expense  of  building 
roads,  bridges,  school-houses,  churches,  and  the  support  of  that  mode 
of  worship  unanimously  established  by  the  first  founders  of  the  sev- 
eral towns.  New  comers,  who,  as  soon  as  they  came,  were  admitted 
to  all  the  privileges  of  the  original  planters,  had  no  right  to  complain 
of  the  necessity  of  bearing  the  same  burdens  as  the  rest.  But  at  a 
very  early  day,  even  this  provision  was  changed,  so  that  every  one 
paid  his  tax  to  the  pastor  of  his  choice. 

A  short  time  previous  to  1740,  some  few  families  in  this  town 
adopted  the  sentiments  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  at  this  date 
were  occasionally  supplied  by  the  ministers  of  the  "  Society  for  the 
Px'opagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts."  Soon  after  this  a 
church  edifice  was  erected  in  the  town  on  the  hill  between  Transyl- 
vania and  the  present  center  of  Roxbury.  After  the  erection  of  the 
second  Congregational  Church,  in  1747,  near  Mrs.  J.  P,  Marshall's 
house,  the  old  church  was  used  by  the  Episcopalians  for  public  wor- 
ship, till  the  erection  of  their  present  church,  in  1785.  In  1771, 
Rev.  John  R.  Marshall  assumed  the  charge  of  the  parish,  having 
been  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  London  the  same  year.  The  parish 
flourished  under  his  administrations,  and  by  his  piety,  devotion,  ad- 
dress and  perseverance,  he  laid  the  foundations,  deep  and  sure,  of 
this  now  flourishing  Church.  Besides  St.  Paul's  Church,  Woodbury, 
there  are,  in  the  ancient  territorj'-,  Christ  Church,  Roxbury,  St.  John's 
Church,  Washington,  and  Christ  Church,  Bethlem. 

As  early  as  1790,  services  of  the  Methodist  Church  were  held  in 
Woodbury,  at  first  in  the  open  air  under  Lodge  Rock,  by  Rev.  Sam- 


56 

uel  Wigdon,  and  afterwards,  for  about  twenty  years,  in  the  dwelling 
house  of  "  Father"  Elijah  Sherman,  till  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice,  and  two  other  flourishing  churches  of  this  name  exist  in 
Southbury.  But  neither  the  time,  nor  the  design  of  this  address 
allows  me  to  give  a  history  of  any  of  the  later  incidents  of  the  town. 
I  propose  to  treat  only  of  those  great  historical  events,  in  which  all 
the  constituent  parts  of  the  town  were  interested,  and  in  which  all 
agreed — all  bore  honorable  part. 

One  of  the  few  luxuries  of  the  early  fathers  was  the  fruit  of  the 
orchard,  and  the  beverage  made  from  it.  The  apple-tree  was  the 
constant  attendant  of  the  early  founders  of  towns,  and  followed  them 
in  all  their  wanderings.  They  made  haste,  not  only  to  "  sit  under 
their  own  vine,"  but  as  soon  as  possible,  with  equal  satisfaction,  to  sit 
under  their  own  apple-trees.  Nor,  with  all  their  stern  morality,  does 
it  appear  that  they  had  the  fear  of  a  "  Maine  Law  "  before  their 
eyes,  for  they  freely  granted  the  privilege  of  erecting  *'  cyder  mills," 
even  in  the  highways,  the  place  of  greatest  notoriety  and  temptation. 
These  privileges  were  doubtless  granted  as  a  sort  of  set-off  against 
their  prohibitory  law,  which  enacted  that  if  any  "  Barbadoes  liquors, 
commonly  called  Rum,  Kill-Divell,  or  the  like,"  should  be  landed  in 
any  part  of  the  colony,  it  should  be  confiscated.  There  had  been  a 
still  earlier  law  among  the  Pilgrims,  abolishing  the  "  vain  custom  of 
drinking  one  to  another,"  assigning  as  reasons  for  the  act,  that  "  it 
was  a  thing  of  no  good  use,"  was  an  inducement  to  drunkenness, 
"  occasioned  much  waste  of  wine  and  beer,"  and  forced  masters  and 
mistresses  "  to  drink  more  often  than  they  would."  I  believe  that  the 
reasons  given  hold  good  to  the  present  day,  but  our  sage  legislators 
never  give  a  reason  for  their  legislation. 

Would  you  believe  that  Connecticut  was  ever  a  slave  State,  and 
that  in  this  sequestered  spot,  in  these  religious  vales,  in  this  Puritanic 
"  dwelling-place  in  the  wood,"  have  been  heard  the  "  clanking  chains 
of  slavery  "  ?  Without  thought,  it  would  appear  incredible  to  us, 
who  now  have  such  a  horror  of  that  institution.  Yet  it  is  but  eleven 
years  since  it  was  formally  abolished.  It  is  more  than  sixty  years, 
however,  since  the  institution  in  this  State  had  even  a  "  name  to  live." 
It  is  difficult  for  us,  with  our  present  ideas,  to  believe  that  there  ever 
was  such  a  state  of  public  opinion  here  that  the  sainted  Walker, 
Stoddard,  and  Marshall  could  be  slaveholders ;  and  yet  such  is 
the  fact.  All  the  leading  men,  and  men  of  property,  in  the  early 
days,  owned  slaves.  The  fact  is  attested  by  all  our  records,  town, 
probate,  and  ecclesiastical.     Nothing  was  more  common  in  the  early 


57 

inventories,  than  tlie  item  of  slaves,  nor  in  distributions,  tlian  whole 
or  fractional  parts  of  slaves  to  the  heirs.  It  is  true,  that  they  were 
treated  kindly,  educated,  presented  in  baptism,  their  religious  inter- 
est§  cared  for,  standing  rather  in  the  light  of  children  of  the  house- 
hold, than  that  of  slaves,  yet  they  were  such,  bought  and  sold,  and 
at  the  will  and  pleasure  of  their  owners.  During  the  whole  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  the  institution  flourished  here,  though  in  a  mild 
foi'm.  They  became  attached,  in  many  instances,  to  the  place  where 
they  had  been  brought  up,  and  some  of  them  lingered  around  the  "  old 
homestead,"  long  after  they  were  entitled  to  go  free  by  virtue  of  law. 
In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  freedom  was  granted  to  all  slaves  who 
would  enlist  and  serve  during  the  war.  To  avail  themselves  of  this 
provision,  some  twenty-five  of  their  number  in  this  town  enlisted,  at 
various  periods  of  the  war,  and  made  good  soldiers,  fighting  valiantly 
for  the  liberties  of  the  country.  Several  of  these,  having  survived 
the  perils  of  the  war,  returned  and  resided  in  Woodbury,  and  received 
pensions  from  the  General  Government,  in  common  with  others,  for 
their  military  services. 

Thus  have  we  slowly  traced  our  way  through  the  long  years  of  the 
dim,  dusty  records  of  the  early  fathers,  and  we  cannot  leave  these 
communings  with  the  past  without  regret.  We  part  with  the  actors 
and  their  deeds  as  with  old  friends  with  whom  we  have  journeyed 
long.  There  is  an  interest  lingering  about  the  history,  sayings  and 
doings  of  those  iron-hearted  men,  which  belongs  to  no  later  genera- 
tion. The  most  trivial  details  in  regard  to  them  seem  im23ortant,  and 
we  gather  them  up  with  ever-increasing  admiration.  It  was  they 
who  subdued  this  wilderness  land,  and  established  hei'e  our  happy 
homes,  and  the  germ  of  our  enduring  liberties.  It  was  they  who  laid 
here  the  foundations,  deep  and  broad,  of  our  religious  institutions,  and 
when  they  themselves  had  no  "  temple  made  with  hands  "  in  which 
to  worship  the  God  of  their  fathers,  led  their  children  to  that  secluded 
fastness  of  Bethel  Rock,  to  pour  forth  their  prayers  and  praise.  It 
was  they,  who  laid  the  firm  foundations  of  our  educational  institutions, 
the  sure  nurseries  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  although  for  the  first 
fifty  years,  in  their  poverty,  they  could  sustain  but  one  school  in  the 
territory. 

The  influence  of  the  pastor  in  the  early  days  was  deservedly  very 
great.  Many  of  the  clergy,  who  first  came  to  this  country,  had 
property,  and  assisted  their  poor  bi-ethren  in  the  expenses  and  diffi- 
culties encountered  in  making  the  new  settlements.  The  people  were 
far  more  dependant  on  their  ministers  for  every  thing  at  that  time, 


58 

than  they  have  since  been.  The  proportion  of  learned  men  was  far 
smaller  at  that  time  than  at  the  present  day.  The  clergy  possessed 
a  large  part  of  the  literature  of  the  colony.  They  fitted  the  young 
men  for  college,  assisted  them  in  their  studies  at  the  university^  and 
with  their  advice  afterward.  They  were  fellow  exiles  and  sufferers 
with  their  people  in  this  new  and  strange  land.  All  these  circum- 
stances combined,  gave  them  a  remarkable  influence  over  their  hear- 
ers, of  all  ranks  and  dispositions.  Perhaps  in  no  government  have 
the  clergy  had  more  influence,  or  been  more  rationally  and  sincerely 
respected  and  beloved,  by  ruler  and  people,  than  in  Connecticut. 

All  these  influences  exhibited  their  happy  results  in  the  habits  and 
character  of  the  people.  The  huge  old  meeting-house  was  always 
filled  with  the  "  great  congregation,"  in  summei-'s  heat,  or  winter's 
cold.  Although  the  idea  of  warming  a  meeting-house  with  a  stove, 
or  a  fire-place,  never  entered  the  mind  of  the  boldest  innovator  upon 
ancient  customs,  yet  the  attendance  at  the  house  of  God  was  scarcely 
less  in  winter  than  in  summer.  The  Church  was  almost  always  built 
on  the  highest  hill,  at  the  intersection  of  roads  leading  to  the  various 
parts  of  the  town,  as  near  the  geographical  center  of  the  territory  as 
possible.  But  the  people  "  went  up  to  the  temple  "  to  Avorship  for 
many  miles  around,  though  storms  were  in  the  air,  and  the  cutting 
wind  howled  fiercely  over  the  bleak  hill  of  "  the  tabernacle."  On 
foot,  and  on  the  "  ride-and-tie  "  system,  they  managed  to  get  to  the 
place  of  Avorship,  where,  by  the  aid  of  warm  clothing,  close  sitting, 
and  a  ruddy  fire  in  their  "  Sabbath-Day  Houses,"  or  at  the  parson- 
age, at  intermission,  they  seemed  not  aware  of  the  cold  weather. 
Here  they  spent  their  time  in  discussing  the  sermon,  and  in  such  a 
manner  as  was  suitable  to  holy  time.  The  hours  of  the  Sabbath,  after 
the  return  from  church,  were  generally  spent  in  employments  appro- 
priate to  the  conclusion  of  the  day  of  rest,  and  such  as  were  calcula- 
ted to  fit  them  for  the  everlasting  Sabbath  in  Heaven. 

But  those  early  fathers  have  long  since  departed.  Several  genera- 
tions of  their  descendants  sleep  with  them,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
many  of  their  valuable  customs  and  strict  purity  of  conduct  have  de- 
parted with  them.  "  Ancient  Woodbury  "  has  been  greatly  favored 
with  able,  learned  and  pious  pastors.  One  hundred  years  ago,  and 
for  some  years  previous,  there  were  laboring,  at  one  time,  in  our  lim- 
its. Rev.  Anthony  Stoddard,  of  the  first  society,  Uev.  John  Graham, 
of  Southbury,  Rev.  Dr.  Bellamy  of  Bethlehem,  Rev.  Thomas  Canfield 
of  Roxbury,  and  Rev.  Daniel  Brinsmade  of  Judea  Societies  ;  a  galaxy 
of  talent,  learning  and  piety,  without  its  equal,  perhaps,  at  one  time,  ia 


59 

a  single  town.  The  influence  of  those  revered  men,  and  that  of  the 
other  noble  men  who  have  since  that  day  labored  in  our  courts,  has 
not  entirely  departed.  It  "  still  lives,"  and  will  go  on  blessing  and 
improving  those  within  its  reach,  till  the  "  latest  recorded  syllable  of 
time." 

They  labored  amid  difficulties  and  dangers,  and  we  have  entered 
into  the  results  of  those  labors.  They  sleep  well  in  these  religious 
vales,  far  from  the  land  of  their  fathers,  "  The  dai-k  brown  years  " 
have  passed  over  the  sacred  mounds  that  cover  them,  for  many  gen- 
erations. It  is  right,  then,  that  their  posterity  lingers,  with  a  sad 
interest,  over  the  lightest  trace  of  their  doings !  Is  it  strange  that 
we  notice  with  approbation,  acts  which,  at  the  present  day,  would  be 
unworthy  of  remark  ?  None  can  contemplate  the  hardships,  labors 
and  dangers  endured  by  our  ancestors,  their  self-denial,  firmness  and 
perseverence  in  defending  and  transmitting  to  us  this  fair  inheritance, 
and  not  highly  esteem  and  venerate  their  characters. 

Under  such  severe  difficulties  were  these  pleasant  dwelling  places, 
and  the  habitations  which  we  now  enjoy,  prepared.  And  yet  our 
ancestors  were  not  the  paupers,  nor  the  fortune  hunters  of  the  old 
world.  They  were  the  sturdy  yeomanry,  the  intelligent  farmers,  the 
middle  classes,  whose  independent  spirits  spurned  the  yoke  of  spiritual 
tyranny.  Oppressed  and  harassed  in  the  old  country,  our  sainted 
sires  sought  in  the  wilds  and  fastnesses  of  this  wilderness  world,  a 
place  for  that  freedom  of  thought,  and  of  action,  which  they  could 
not  find  under  the  boasted  liberty  of  the  British  constitution.  Thor- 
oughly impressed  with  the  belief  that  time,  faith  and  energy  would 
accomplish  all  that  could  be  done  in  life,  the  most  appalling  dis- 
couragements wei'e  met  and  overcome.  To  their  enlightened  vision, 
guided  by  their  fervid  and  simple  faith,  there  beamed  from  the  distant 
West  the  light  of  perfect  liberty,  which,  like  "  another  morn  risen  on 
mid-noon,"  would  continue  to  shine  till  the  ''  perfect  day." 

It  will  be  seen,  that  I  have  dwelt  long  upon  the  events  and  inci- 
dents of  the  early  days.  I  have  taken  the  more  pains  in  this  regard, 
because  our  information  of  the  early  days  is  more  scanty  than  of  the 
recent  past.  I  had  intended  to  have  paid  my  tribute  of  affection  and 
respect  to  the  memory  of  the  revered  men  who  have  lived  and  labored 
in  and  out  of  our  town  during  the  last  two  centuries.*  It  would  be  a 
grateful  privilege  to  linger,  for  a  moment,  among  the  sweet  memories 
of  the  distinguished  dead  for  ten  generations,  who  have  gone  before 

*  Full  and  extended  sketches  of  the  distinguished  men  of  Woodbury  will  be 
found  in  the  "  History  of  Ancient  "Woodbury,"  published  in  1854. 


60 

us  to  the  "  undiscovered  country."  Woodbury  has  been  distinguished, 
from  the  very  first,  for  minds  of  the  first  order,  and  men  of  mark. 
But  time  forbids  that  I  should  tarry  in  these  filial  fields,  and  so  I  hasten 
on  to  the  conclusion  of  my  labors.  I  am  the  more  anxious  to  do  this 
that  I  may  not  longer  keep  you  from  the  enjoyment  of  the  I'ich  treat 
which  my  Rev.  friend  (and  I  am  proud  to  call  him  my  friend,)  has  in 
store  for  you.  Descended  from  an  honored  stock,  and  long  since 
adopted  as  a  favored  son  of  the  Muses,  he  will  surely  adorn  this  mem- 
orable occasion  with  the  gifts  of  poesy ! 

Glorious,  thrice  glorious  is  the  day  we  celebrate  !     It  is  the  two 
hundreth  anniversary  of  the  exploration  of  this  valley,  the  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-ninth  of  the  gathering  of  the  First  Church,  and  the 
eighty-third  of  our  national  independence.     On  this  glad  day  of  lib- 
erty, what  sacred  emotions  arise  in  the  patriotic  breast !     How  shall 
we  rightly  honor  a  day  consecrated  by  the  deeds  of  the  noble  men  of 
all  the  past — not  moi'e  the  patriots,  who  fought  in  the  gloomy  days  of 
the  Revolution,  than  those,  who  struggled  amid  the  dangers  of  defence- 
less and  remote  forests.     It  has  taken  all  the  labors  of  our  fathers, 
from  the  first  hardy  pioneer,  to  make  the  glorious  present.     We  enjoy 
the  fruits  of  all  the  toil  and  blood  of  our  fathers  for  two  hundred 
years.     It  is  meet,  then,  that  we  greet  with  enthusiastic  joy  the  smil- 
ing morn  of  the  anniversary  of  that  last,  most  during  and  sublime  of 
all  the  acts  of  our  forefathers,  the  Declaration  of  Independence.     It 
is  well  that  we  hail  its  annual  return  with  the  ringing  of  bells  upon 
ten    thousand   hills ;    by  the  booming  of  innumerable   cannon    and 
smaller  arms ;  by  rockets,  fire-works  and  illuminations ;  by  solemn 
processions  and  grateful  prayers  to  God ;   by  stinnng  orations  and 
patriotic  songs  !     May  the  hymns  of  liberty  never  die  out  from  our 
breezy  mountains,  nor  the  lofty  sentiment  of  patriotism  from  our  hap- 
py valleys !     Let  the  glad  echoes  be  repeated  from  the  Eastern  to 
the  Western  Ocean,  and  from  the  icy  regions  of  the  North  to  the 
sunny  climes  of  the  ever-blooming  South ! 

"  Ancient  Woodbuxy  "  has  ever  been  a  military  town,  from  the  time 
of  King  Philip's  war,  when,  as  we  have  seen,  it  had  a  larger  number 
of  soldiers  in  the  service,  than  any  other  town  in  the  colony,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  number  of  its  inhabitants,  to  the  last  war  with  Great 
Britain,  when  we  had  more  than  two  hundred  men  in  the  field.  In 
every  war,  and  on  eyery  "alarm,"  the  men  of  Woodbury  have  been 
found  at  the  post  of  duty,  performing  feats  of  valor.  For  that  fruit- 
less and  fatal  expedition,  under  Gen.  Nicholson,  for  the  reduction  of 
Montreal  and  Quebec,  in  1709,  Woodbury,  still  the  frontier  forest 


61 

town,  furnished  its  full  quota  of  men,  being  nine,  two  of  whom  died 
from  the  exposures  of  the  camp,  at  Wood  Creek.     Among  the  forces 
under  the  American  commander,   who    was  obliged  to  execute  that 
most  unrighteous  and   cruel  decree  for  the   dispersion  of   the    un- 
happy inhabitants  of  Acadia,  among  the  New  England  colonies,  tear- 
ing the  unoffending  and  peaceful  people  from  their  loved  and  beau- 
tiful paternal  firesides,  were  soldiers  from  our  old  Puritan  town,  and 
nine  of  those  sorrowful  victims  of  England's  gross  injustice  were  sent 
into  exile  upon  the  outskirts  of  our  town,  to  be  kept  at  labor  under 
the  direction  of  the  selectmen.     From  1744  to  1759,  our  town  freely- 
furnished  her  sturdy  sons  for  all  those  ill-managed  and  desolating 
wars  between  Great  Britain  and  France.     Col.  Benjamin  Plinman, 
and  Capt.  Adam  Hinman  greatly  distinguished  themselves  in  these 
campaigns,  although  the  regular  troops  constantly  domineered  over  the 
provincials.     As  soon  as  the  drum,  at  the  "  alarm  post "  in  our  peace- 
ful shades,  sounded  the  note  of  preparation  for  the  relief  of  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry,  near  Lake  George,  that  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  once 
so  peacefully  resting  between  its   rampart  of  highlands,  the  gallant 
captains,  Wait  Hinman  and  Ebenezer  Downs,  the  former  at  the  head 
of  his  company  of  ninety-six  men,  and  the  latter  leading  his  company 
of  eighty,  marched,  at  a  moment's   warning,  and  made  their  rapid 
way  through  many  a   trackless    and  weary  solitude  to  succor  their 
English  brethren.     In  Hinnaan's  company  marched  Hezekiah  Thomp- 
son, the  first  regular  lawyer  in  the  village,  and  Dr.  Joseph  Perry,  one 
of  its  most  distinguished  physicians.     And  in  that  final  and  glorious 
campaign,  conducted  under  the  administration  and  auspices  of  the 
energetic,  brilliant  and  renowned  Pitt,  in  those  important  victories, 
resulting  in  the  capture   of  forts    Niagara,  Ticonderoga,  and  Crown 
Point,  and  in  the  more  glorious  event,  the   surrender  of  Quebec  to 
the  victorious  army  under  Wolfe,   who  met  death  in  the  battle-field, 
and  whose  "spirit  escaped  in  a  blaze  of  glory," — in   all  these  cele- 
brated engagements,  the  men    of  Woodbury,  both  ofiicer  and  soldier, 
stood  in  the  first  rank.     Valuable,  indeed,  was  this  school  of  military 
services  which  closed  with  this  campaign,  to  our  fathers,  who  were 
so  soon  to  engage  in  a  life  and  death  struggle  for  their  own  liberties. 
Great  was  the  rejoicing  in  Woodbury  when  the  news  of  the  last 
great  victory  arrived,  not  unmingled  with  sorrow  at  the  loss  of  the 
slain,  three  of  whom   had  gone  forth  from  their  own  hearth  stones. 
Like   demonstrations  of  joy  were   everywhere  shown.     In  the  elo- 
quent words  of  Bancroft,  "  America  rang  with  exultation  ;  the  towns 
were  bright  with  illuminations ;  legislatures,  the  pulpit,  the   press, 


62 

echoed  the  general  joy;    provinces  and  families   gave   thanks  to 
God." 

But  in  a  far  more  glorious  and  interesting  chapter  of  our  country's 
history,  the  patriotic  sons  of  Woodbury  acted  a  noble  and  distinguish- 
ed part..  Need  I  tell  the  youngest  listener  in  this  vast  assembly,  at 
least  on  this  cherished  anniversary  of  our  country's  history,  that  I 
refer  to  the  memorable  struggle  for  Independence  ?  It  had  been  gen- 
erally known,  that  at  the  end  of  the  war  with  France,  new  regulations 
would  be  introduced  into  the  government  of  the  American  colonies. 
Connecticut  in  pai-ticular,  was  said  to  be  but  "little  more  than  a 
mere  democracy,  most  of  them  being  upon  a  level,  and  each  man 
thinking  himself  an  able  divine  and  politician;"  and  to  make  its 
inhabitants  "  a  good  sort  of  people,"  it  was  supposed,  all  that  was 
necessary,  was  to  take  away  its  charter,  and  crush  its  energies.  The 
mother  country  had  forgotten  its  experience  in  the  Charter  Oak  aifair, 
by  which  it  should  have  learned,  that  this  would  not  be  so  easy  a 
thing  as  might  be  desirable.  So  she,  in  the  magnitude  of  her  towering 
pride  said,  "  Let  the  colonies  be  taxed,  and  let  there  be  no  repre- 
sentation." What  a  world  of  interests  was  aiFected  by  that  stern  and 
unjust  decision  !  Little  dreamed  he,  who  spake  it,  that  it  would  in- 
flame a  continent,  and  rend  from  Old  England  her  fairest  posses- 
sion. But  the  word  had  been  spoken — the  decree  gone  forth !  With 
a  fatal  madness,  an  unaccountable  folly,  she  took  her  furious  course. 
Her  children,  driven  by  her  intolerance  into  the  savage  wilds  of  a 
distant  continent,  wei'e  pursued  with  ruthless  barbarity.  She  little 
knew,  and  little  cared,  if  far  away  over  the  mighty  Atlantic,  her 
arbitrary  acts  were  creating  the  "  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of 
the  brave."  From  this  came  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  to  blast 
the  dearest  hopes  of  the  people  of  the  new  world.  Yet  from  its 
gloomy  shades  gleamed  forth  the  light  of  liberty,  which  to-day  shines 
with  such  dazzling  splendor. 

The  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act  aroused  the  most  intense  excite- 
ment, alarm  and  indignation  throughout  the  colonies.  Absolute 
resistance  to  this  measure  everywhere  appeared,  and  as  early  as  Feb- 
ruary, 1766,  a  Convention  of  Litchfield  county  was  held,  in  which  the 
noble  men  of  Woodbury  wei-e  leading  spirits.  This  body  of  men, 
feeling  within  them  the  true  Yankee  fire,  "  Resolved  that  the  Stamp 
Act  was  unconstitutional,  null  and  void,  and  that  business  of  all  kinds 
should  go  on  as  usual."  The  paramount  and  immediate  cause  of 
the  great  struggle  of  the  Revolution,  was  the  passage  of  the  Boston 
Port  Bill.  This  outrageous  and  malicious  act  excited  universal  sym- 
pathy for  that  town,  throughout  the  colonies,  but  nowhere  was  it  man- 


63 

ifested  in  a  more  lively  oi'  effective  manner  than  Connecticut.  The 
universal  spirit  of  resistance  broke  out  in  Woodbury,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1774,  a  town  meeting  was  held,  at  which  resolutions  of  sym- 
pathy with  the  afflicted  people  of  Boston  and  Charlestown  were 
passed,  and  a  considerable  amount  of  donations  was  collected,  and 
forwarded  to  Boston  with  all  possible  dispatch.  This  meeting  was 
held  just  after  the  "  Great  Boston  Alarm,"  caused  by  a  report  that 
ships  of  war  were  cannonading  Boston.  During  this  "  Alarm,"  a 
large  number  of  the  patriotic  sons  of  Woodbury  had  marched  in  mad 
haste,  and  made  a  part  of  that  glorious  twenty  thousand  from  Con- 
necticut, who,  completely  armed,  put  themselves  on  the  route  to  Bos- 
ton to  relieve  their  brother  sufferers.  It  was  soon  apparent  that  war 
with  the  mother  country  was  inevitable,  and  the  great  object  of  our 
Revolutionary  sires  was  to  form  public  opinion  in  favor  of  a  contest 
with  England.  Tliis  was  best  effected  in  that  day  of  scarcity  of  news- 
papers, by  holding  town  meetings,  in  which  they  could  publicly  read 
such  papers  as  treated  upon  the  subject  of  common  interest,  and  dis- 
cuss their  rights  and  grievances.  In  this  way,  the  people  became 
highly  excited  and  exasperated,  and  patriotism  glowed  in  the  coldest 
hearts.  The  fathers  of  Woodbury  were  fully  up  to  the  spirit  of  the 
times,  and  held  frequent  meetings  to  advise  concerning  the  public 
weal.  In  November,  1774,  the  people  of  Woodbury  held  a  town 
meeting,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  observe  the  acts  of  the  inhab- 
itants in  relation  to  the  non-importation,  and  non-consumption  agree- 
ment of  the  United  Colonies,  with  directions  to  publish  in  the  Gazette 
the  names  of  all  violators  of  that  sacred  agreement,  to  the  end,  that 
all  such  persons,  might  "be  publicly  known,  and  universally  con- 
temned," agreeing  to  break  off  all  dealings  with  such  persons  as 
should  be  guilty  of  such  violation. 

The  decisive  step  seemed  to  be  now  taken.  Neither  party  could 
recede  without  betraying  weakness  or  cowardice.  The  Rubicon  was 
passed,  and  all  waited  the  next  move  with  intense  solicitude.  Dark- 
ness and  gloom  had  settled  upon  the  moral  vision — the  veil  of  the 
future  was  drawn  over  the  result,  and  it  was  impossible  for  those  of 
the  greatest  wisdom  to  raise  that  veil  and  penetrate  the  mystery  be- 
yond. By  such  severe  regulations,  we  can  see  the  urgency  of  the 
danger  that  threatened  the  colonists,  and  the  extreme,  stern  measures, 
judged  necessary  by  the  coolest  and  wisest  intellects  of  the  colonies. 
It  shows  us,  too,  the  caliber  of  the  men,  who  settled  this  new  world, 
and  sought  here  the  supreme  blessing  of  freedom.  But  putting  their 
trust  in  the  God  of  battles,  and  in   the  justice  of  their  cause,  they 


64 

dared  every  evil  that  might  come  upon  them,  earnestly  pledging 
"  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor,"  on  the  issue,  and 
sacrificing  all  the  dearest  interests  of  life  on  the  altar  of  their  country's 
good. 

There  can  be  no  better  way  of  appreciating  the  trials,  dangers,  and 
difficulties  of  achieving  our  independence,  than  by  carefully  noting 
the  labors  and  struggles  of  a  single  important  town.  One  furnishes 
a  type  of  the  whole.  In  that  great  contest,  Connecticut  was  one  of 
the  foremost,  if  not  the  very  first  State  in  the  confederacy,  to  resist 
the  tyranny  of  Great  Britain,  and  to  lavish  her  blood  and  treasure  in 
sustaining  the  conflict  with  her  oppressors.  Her  soldiers  were  fre- 
quently applauded  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American 
army,  for  their  bravery  and  fidelity.  The  honor  of  the  first  conquest 
made  by  the  United  Colonies  during  the  war,  belongs  chiefly  to  Con- 
necticut, and,  in  a  distinguishing  manner,  to  the  sons  of  Woodbury. 
I  refer  to  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  May  10,  1775,  without  the  loss 
of  a  man,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  daring  feats  of  the  war.  At 
least  one  half  of  that  little  patriotic  band  of  eighty-three  men, 
who  entered  the  fort,  were  natives  or  inhabitants  of  Woodbury. 
They  were  led  by  Colv.Ethan  Allen,  Col.  Seth  Warner,  and  Capt. 
Remember  Baker,  cousins,  and  natives  of  Woodbury,*  then  residing 
in  the  "  New  Hampshire  Grants,"  and  on  the  demand  of  the  former, 
in  the  "  name  of  the  Great  Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress," 
the  Commander  rubbed  his  eyes  in  astonishment,  and  yielded  the  for- 
tress. Neither  the  demeanor  of  the  man,  the  boldness  of  his  mes- 
sage, nor  the  nature  of  his  authority,  could  be  gain  say  ed  for  a  moment. 
This  post,  and  that  of  Crown  Point,  which  was  immediately  taken 
by  Col.  Warner,  being  thus  acquired,  Connecticut  was  obliged  to 
garrison,  and  in  1775,  sent  1000  men  for  this  purpose,  eight  compa- 
nies of  whom  were  from  the  limits  of  our  ancient  town,  containing  at 
least  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  eighty  of  whose  names  are  still  pre- 


*  On  a  careful  review  of  the  subject  of  the  nativity  of  Col.  Allen,  I  have  seen 
no  cause  to  change  mj  opinions  in  regard  to  it,  as  indicated  in  the  "  History  of 
Ancient  Woodbury,"  p.  411  to  416,  notwithstanding  the  fact,  that  my  learned 
and  ingenious  friend,  Payne. Kenyon  Kilbourne,  Esq.,  of  Litchfield,  has  come  to 
a  different  conclusion. 

Since  writing  this  note,  Mr.  Kilbourne  has  been  suddenly  called  to  enter  into 
his  rest.  He  had  been  at  Hartford  some  months,  printing  with  his  own  hands 
his  History  of  Litchfield,  and  the  task  had  been  too  great  for  his  feeble  frame. 
He  sacrificed  his  life  to  his  last  great  work.  He  was  a  learned  and  estimable  man. 
His  example  was  one  worthy  of  imitation.  A  patient,  laborious,  and  indefatigable 
antiquarian,  and  a  Christian  gentleman,  has  passed  away. 


65 

served.  The  garrisons  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  Hln- 
man,  of  Woodbury.  Is  it  then  vain-glorious  in  her  sons,  if  to-day 
they  claim  it  to  be  essentially  a  Woodbury  affair  ?  Truly,  to  her 
brave  children  must  be  awarded  the  palm  for  securing  this  opening 
victory  to  the  American  Arms  ! 

Woodbury  was  noted  for  the  vigilance  with  which  it  watched  the 
movements  of  the  tories  within  its  boi'ders,  of  whom  it  had  a  few,  as 
well  as  for  its  active  co-operation  in  everything  necessary  to  carry  on 
the  great  struggle,  which  had  now  begun  in  good  earnest.  A  com- 
mittee of  inspection  and  observation  of  the  conduct  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town,  was  appointed,  consisting  of  thirty  of  its  chief  men,  and 
undoubted  patriots,  which  exercised  its  functions  during  the  whole 
war,  vacancies  in  the  board  being  filled,  fx'om  time  to  time,  by  the  town. 
The  duties,  which  this  committee  felt  itself  culled  upon  to  perform, 
were  of  the  most  delicate  and  difficult  nature,  and  constituted  such 
an  oversight  and  interference  in  men's  private  affairs,  as  could  only  be" 
justified  by  such  a  case  of  emergency  as  was  then  existing.  But 
they  were  men  in  whom  all*  had  confidence,  and  upon  whom  entire 
dependence  could  be  placed  in  times  of  difficulty  and  danger. 

During  the  first  two  years  of  the  war,  the  larger  part  of  the  mili- 
tia, which  comprised  all  the  able-bodied  men  from  the  age  of  sixteen 
to  fifty,  had  been  called  to  serve  at  various  posts,  and  on  various  ex- 
peditions a  great  part  of  the  time.  Early  in  1777,  enlistments  for 
three  years,  or  during  the  war,  were  called  for,  and  the  quota  for 
each  town  was  established.  It  was  a  severe  levy  on  the  already 
weakened  state  of  the  town.  But  it  met  the  call  with  a  ready  zeal, 
and  undaunted  perseverance.  Large  bounties  were  offered  to  those 
who  would  enlist,  and  heavy  taxes  were  laid  on  the  inhabitants,  who 
were  not  liable  to  do  duty,  or  did  not  enlist  into  the  army.  Another 
arrangement,  besides  increased  wages  held  out  by  the  town,  to  induce 
men  to  enlist,  was  a  provision,  which  required  it  to  support  their  fam- 
ilies during  their  absence  in  their  country's  service,  and  committees 
were  annually  appointed  to  carry  this  provision  into  effect.  From  a 
report  to  the  General  Assembly,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1783,  we 
learn  that  neai'ly  £3,000  worth  of  provisions  had,  in  this  manner, 
been  furnished  to  soldiers'  families  during  the  war.  Woodbury  was 
also  a  prominent  point  for  collecting  supplies  of  provisions  for  the 
array.  The  streets  of  the  village,  from  the  First  Congregational 
Church  to  Mrs.  Marshall's  dwelling  house,  were  often  piled  high,  on 
either  side,  with  barrels  and  hogsheads  of  pork,  beef,  lard,  flour,  and 
other  military  stores  for  the  use  of  the  army.  Nor  was  the  supply 
9 


66 

of  clothing  of  every  kind,  less  profuse  in  quantity,  for  the  wants  of 
the  soldiers  of  the  town.  In  March,  1778,  clothing  to  the  value  of 
more  than  $1,000,  was  forwarded  to  them  at  one  time.  Besides  the 
provisions  thus  furnished  by  the  town,  for  the  army  during  the  war, 
lai'ge  quantities  were  purchased  of  the  inhabitants  by  Shadrach  Os- 
born,  of  Woodbury,  who  was  assistant  commissary  of  purchases,  and 
also  issuing  commissary.  From  his  accounts,  and  other  sources,  we 
learn  that  more  than  half  a  million  dollars'  worth  of  supplies  was 
furnished  by  this  town,  towards  the  grand  amount  necessary  to 
achieve  our  country's  independence.  This  is  a  showing  of  which  any 
town  may  be  justly  proud. 

Such  was  thei  care  of  the  town  to  support  and  defend  those  nearest 
and  dearest  to  the  brave  men,  who  were  manfully  fighting  the  battles, 
and  consecrating  with  their  blood  every  battle-field  of  their  country. 
Such  was  the  anxious  care  for  the  soldiers  themselves.  Those  who 
went  forth  to  war  suffered  extreme  hardships,  in  common  with  their 
brethren  from  other  parts  of  the  country ;  and  those  who  remained 
at  home,  suffered  hardships  scarcely  less  severe,  in  the  heavy  taxes 
necessary  to  pay  for  the  soldiers'  bounties,  and  for  the  support  of  their 
families,  while  their  own  business  was  crippled  and  nearly  ruined. 

All  this  was  accomplished  under  the  pressure  of  most  unparalleled 
financial  difficulties.  The  continental  money,  by  means  of  British 
counterfeiting,  and  the  unavoidable  loss  of  credit,  arising  from  so 
long  and  sanguinary  a  struggle,  constantly  depreciated,  and,  at  last, 
became  nearly  valueless.  So  great  was  the  depreciation,  that  when 
the  soldiers  of  the  continental  army  were  discharged,  after  the  peace 
of  1783,  many  of  them  were  forced  to  beg  their  way  home,  their 
wages  for  a  service,  so  long  and  weary,  being  scarcely  sufficient 
to  purchase  them  a  dinner. 

But  Woodbury,  in  a  far  more  important  manner,  contributed  to- 
wards a  successful  issue  of  the  dispute  with  Great  Britain.  This 
was  accomplished  by  sending  large  numbers  of  her  best  sons  to  the 
field  of  battle.  In  the  number  and  value  of  her  troops,  it  is  believed,, 
that  few  towns  of  similar  territorial  and  numerical  strength,  can  vie 
with  her.  Their  heroic  deeds  should  grace  a  bright  page  of  our 
country's  history.  During  the  course  of  the  war,  more  than  fifteen 
hundred  of  her  patriotic  sous  went  forth  to  "  do  battle  for  their  coun- 
try." At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  Col.  Hinman's,  or  the  13th 
regiment  of  militia,  comprised  only  the  three  towns  of  Woodbury, 
Kent,  and  New  Milford,  and  all  these  were  within  the  limits  of  the 
original  Indian  Deed.     Ancient  Woodbury  had  eight  out  of  the  twelve 


67 

companies  that  composed  it,  and  the  number  of  soldiers  furnished  from 
them  for  the  continental  army,  in  1775,  exclusive  of  the  company,  that 
marched  in  the  Lexington  Alarm,  was  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty, 
as  that  was  the  number  whose  "  Poll  taxes  "  were  abated  that  year 
by  the  General  Assembly,  on  account  of  their  service. 

The  sun  of  1776,  although  our  armies  had  been  successful  the 
preceding  year,  arose  clouded  and  in  gloom.  The  "  note  of  prepara- 
tion" was  sounded  through  the  land.  There  was  a  "  hurrying  to  and 
fro  "  throughout  the  country  on  business  of  the  most  solemn  import? 
affecting  the  dearest  interests  we  know  in  life.  In  June,  one-fourth 
of  the  able-bodied  men  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years, 
in  the  territory,  were  drafted,  or  enlisted.  In  August,  after  the  evacu- 
ation of  Boston,  and  the  occupation  of  New  York  by  the  British,  the 
entire  militia  of  Connecticut,  west  of  the  river  of  that  name,  at  the 
request  of  Gen.  Washington,  was  ordered  to  New  York.  The 
Woodbury  companies  were  called  out  on  the  10th,  mustered  on  the 
11th,  and  marched  on  the  12th  for  their  place  of  destination.  Tlie 
number  of  officers  and  soldiers  on  the  military  rolls,  at  this  time,  was 
564,  all  of  whom,  but  39,  marched  at  the  call  of  their  commandei"s. 
Besides  these,  there  were  248  men  in  the  continental  army  by  enlist- 
ment, making  the  number  of  men  in  actual  service,  from  this  single 
town,  at  that  time,  eight  hundred  and  seventy-three.  The  entire 
population  of  "  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  a  census  taken  that  year, 
amounted  to  only  5,325  souls,  so  that  nearly  one-fifth  of  the  popula- 
tion, men,  women  and  children,  were  fighting  for  the  freedom  of  their 
firesides.  This  "  raw  militia  "  was  present  in  the  unfortunate  opera- 
tions on  Long  Island,  towards  the  close  of  this  year,  and  in  Wash- 
ington's retreat  from  New  York,  soon  after  which,  the  men  were 
discharged.  One  would  think  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  arouse 
and  lead  forth  to  battle,  at  a  moment's  warning,  all  tlie  able-bodied 
men  in  the  militia  of  a  town,  in  such  a  manner  as  this,  but  the  inter- 
ests at  stake  were  great,  and  the  most  prominent  and  popular  men  in 
the  community  were  in  the  movement,  "  heart  and  hand."  The  ofii- 
cers  addressed  the  soldiers  in  the  most  urgent  and  patriotic  language, 
and  even  the  pulpit  lent  its  powerful  aid  to  the  cause  by  prayers  to 
the  Almighty,  and  by  volunteering  to  go  with  them  on  their  cam- 
paigns in  the  capacity  of  chaplain,  as  did  Rev.  Mr.  Wildman,  of 
Southbury,  on  one  occasion.  A  passage  from  the  prayer  of  the  Rev. 
Judah  Champion,  of  Litchfield,  on  the  occasion  of  the  attendance  at 
his  church  of  a  company  of  cavalry,  on  their  way  to  oppose  Lord 
Cornwallis,  who,  with  a  large  fleet  and  armament  was  approaching 


68 

the  American  coast,  has  been  often  repeated,  and  so  well  exhibits  the 
spirit  of  the  times,  it  may  well  be  repeated  again : 

"  Oh  Lord !  We  view  with  terror  and  dismay  the  enemies  of  thy 
holy  religion ;  wilt  thou  send  storm  and  tempest,  to  toss  them  upon 
the  sea,  and  to  overwhelm  them  in  the  mighty  deep,  or  scatter  them 
to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth.  But  peradventure,  should  any 
escape  thy  vengeance,  collect  thou  them  together  again,  O  Lord !  as 
in  the  hollow  of  thy  hand,  and  let  thy  lightnings  play  upon  them!" 
Besides  these  influences,  another  aided  the  Revolutionary  fathers  of 
this  town.  Previous  to  the  action  at  White  Plains,  the  soldiers  from 
Woodbury  had  been  remarkably  fortunate.  Scarcely  one  had  been 
killed  or  wounded,  insomuch  it  had  become  a  common  remark,  "  the 
enemy's  balls  could  not  hit  the  Woodbury  boys."  In  consequence  of 
this  feeling  of  security,  enlistments  went  on  briskly,  and  to  it,  in 
part,  is  to  be  attributed  the  large  number  of  soldiers  who  vol- 
unteered to  go  into  the  service.  In  that  scene  of  misery  at  the 
"  Sugar  House  "  in  New  York,  and  the  inhuman  cruelties  there  in- 
flicted, Woodbury  had  some  representatives.*  With  so  large  a  num- 
ber of  men  in  the  service,  it  could  not  fail  to  be  represented  in  every 
field  of  battle  of  the  eventful  struggle  in  which  our  freedom  was 
secured,  and  the  mother  country  humbled  in  the  dust. 

The  campaign  of  1777  opened  with  an  invasion  of  Connecticut,  on 
the  part  of  the  enemy — an  event  long  feared  by  our  people.  Troops 
were  called  for  to  defend  the  coasts,  and  Col.  Moseley's  regiment 
marched  to  Fairfield.  In  April,  there  was  a  sudden  call  for  troops 
to  go  to  Danbury,  as  the  British  were  burning  the  houses,  and  destroy- 
ing the  property  of  the  inhabitants.  The  alarm  lists  and  militia  of 
Woodbury  were  put  in  motion,  and  some  of  the  soldiers,  including 
Hon.  Wm.  Edmond,  afterwards  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and 
one  of  the  greatest  geniuses  this  State  ever  produced,  were  wounded. 
Col.  Joel  Hinman  was  also  wounded  at  the  same  moment,  in  which 
Gen.  Wooster  received  his  mortal  wound,  at  a  little  distance  from 
him.  And  here  is  the  ball  which  buried  itself  in  the  left  groin  of 
Col.  Hinman,  where  it  remained  for  the  long  period  of  thirty-three 
years,  when  it  was  extracted  by  Dr.  Anthony  Burritt.     On  its  pas- 

*  I  never  pass  that  beautiful  monument  in  Trinity  church-yard,  at  New  York, 
erected  by  the  Corporation  of  that  Church,  without  stopping  to  read  its  touching 
and  impressive  inscription :  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  those  brave  and  good 
men,  who  died  whilst  imprisoned  in  this  city  for  their  devotion  to  the  cause  of 
American  Independence," — and  sadly  leflecting  how  many  of  Woodbury's  noble 
sons  lie  mouldering  there,  sad  victims  of  that  cruel  and  unnecessary  immolation 
of  humanity. 


m 

sage,  it  hit  a  bayonet  by  his  side,  cutting  and  flattening  the  edge,  as 
you  see.  And  here  is  another  Revohitionary  relic,  aye  a  rehc  of  the 
first  days  of  the  colony,  two  hundred  years  ago.  It  has  been  handed 
down  from  father  to  son,  from  its  first  known  owner,  Capt.  John 
Minor,  the  Indian  interpreter,  and  is  known  to  be  at  least  220  years 
old.  By  closer  inspection,  I  see  the  manufacturer's  date  upon  the 
barrel  is  1624.  It  was  used  in  the  Pequot  war,  in  all  the  French  and 
Indian  wars,  and  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  It  is  said  to  have 
caused,  first  and  last,  the  death  of  forty  red  men,  and  from  this  cir- 
cumstance, has  been  familiarly  known  as  the  "  forty  Indian  gun." 
And  here  is  still  another  relic  of  two  centuries  ago — the  old  arm  chair 
of  Col.  Benjamin  Hinman,  brought  from  Stratford,  and  formerly  the 
property  of  Francis  Stiles.  Here,  too,  is  his  pipe  of  peace,  presented 
to  him  at  the  peace  of  1783,  with  a  request  that  he  would  smoke  it 
as  often  as  the  4th  of  July  should  return — a  request  with  which  he 
faithfully  complied.  Here,  my  friend,  smoke  to  the  memory  of  the 
gallant  colonel.*  Here,  too,  is  a  chair  used  by  Gen.  Washington  at 
New  York. 

It  was  during  this  attack,  as  the  British  were  approaching  the  vil- 
lage, that  Mr.  Luther  Holcomb,  entirely  alone,  rode  upon  a  hill  in  front 
of  the  enemy,  and,  waving  his  sword,  and  turning  his  head,  as  though 
he  were  addressing  an  army  behind  him,  gave,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
the  somewhat  imposing  command,  "  Halt,  the  whole  universe/  Break 
off  by  kingdoms  !  "  As  this  was  rather  a  formidable  force  to  encoun- 
ter in  battle  array,  especially  as  it  had  the  advantage  of  position,  the 
army  halted,  brought  forward  their  cannon,  and  sent  out  flanking  par- 
ties to  make  discoveries.  Upon  this,  the  kingdoms  of  the  universe 
quietly  subsided,  and  Mr.  Holcomb  made  good  his  reti'eat  to  Dan- 
bury.  He  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  see  whether  "  one  man  could 
chase  a  thousand,  and  two  put  ten  thousand  to  flight ! " 

In  May,  one-fourth  of  the  13th  regiment  were  detached,  and  ordered 
to  Horseneck,  numbering  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  In  the 
battle  of  Bennington,  under  the  brave  Col.  Warner,  of  Woodbury, 
his  friends  and  neighbors  did  good  service.  Two  hundred  and  forty 
men  answered  Gen.  Washington's  draft  for  Peekskill.  In  Septem- 
ber, the  regular  army  being  called  to  reinforce  Gen.  Washington,  one- 
half  of  the  militia  was  drafted  to  go  to  Peekskill  under  Gen.  Put- 
nam.    Not  far  from  three  hundred  men  marched  from  Woodbury,  oh 


*  These  several  articles  were  exhibited  to  the  audience  by  the  speaker.  The 
last  remark  was  addressed  to  a  gentleman,  who  was  at  the  moment  personating 
Col.  Hinman. 


70 

this  occasion,  exclusive  of  the  entire  company  of  "  Light  Horse," 
under  the  command  of  Maj.  Thomas  Bull,  which  was  also  ordered  to 
the  same  destination.  The  attentive  student  of  histoi'y  will  see,  at  a 
glance,  how  much  greater  was  the  number  from  Woodbury,  than 
from  other  towns,  when  he  considers  how  small  was  the  whole  num- 
ber in  the  service.  The  exact  number  of  the  three  years'  enlist- 
ments is  not  precisely  known,  but  is  believed  to  be,  at  least,  three 
hundred.  At  the  glorious  and  memorable  victory  of  Saratoga,  we 
had  a  large  body  of  men,  who  fully  sustained  the  high  character  for 
skill  and  bravery,  which  they  had  previously  earned. 

In  the  early  part  of  1778,  it  became  necessary  to  draft  one  hun- 
dred and  five  men  to  fill  the  town's  quota  of  three  years'  men.  The 
fear  of  the  small  pox,  which  prevailed  at  all  the  military  posts,  and 
other  causes,  had  retarded  the  enlistments.  It  was  not  strange  under 
the  painful  circumstances  and  sad  reverses  of  the  close  of  1777,  when 
the  troops  under  Washington  had  worn  out  their  shoes  and  clothing, 
and  could  be  tracked  in  their  marches  by  the  blood  of  their  feet,  that 
new  recruits  were  obtained  with  difficulty.  It  was  emphatically  the 
midnight  of  the  Revolution.  But  the  States  having,  at  this  juncture 
framed  and  accepted  "  articles  of  confederation,"  and  being  aided  by 
the  French,  the  war  was  vigorously  prosecuted  in  all  directions. 

In  February,  1779,  the  whole  militia  under  Col.  Mosely,  and  the 
regiment  of  "  Light  Horse"  under  Major  Bull,  were  ordered  to  Nor- 
walk,  and  in  May,  one  hundred  men  from  the  Thirteenth  Regiment 
were  ordered  to  Horseneck,  fifty-seven  of  whom  were  from  Captain 
Leavenworth's  company.  It  was  during  these  occurrences,  that  Gen. 
Putnam  made  his  famous  "escape"  at  Horseneck,  by  spurring  his 
horse,  when  hotly  pursued,  down  a  steep  precipice,  at  full  gallop. 

During  the  winter  of  1780,  the  troops  had  suffered  greatly  in  their 
quarters  for  want  of  food  and  clothing.  They  were  paid  off  in  con- 
tinental money,  and  with  it  they  could  buy  neither  food  nor  clothing. 
In  this  emergency,  the  town  in  its  great  solicitude,  offered  a  bounty 
of  £45  in  silver  for  each  recruit,  and  dispatched  to  the  suffering  sol- 
diers in  the  "  Connecticut  Line,"  nearly  .seven  thousand  articles  of 
clothing,  of  which  they  had  the  most  pressing  need,  among  which 
were  about  two  thousand  pairs  of  shoes.  At  this  period  of  the  war, 
the  prospects  of  the  country  were  gloomy  in  the  extreme.  Only  the 
most  hopeful  and  persevering  could  see  relief  in  the  dark  aspect  of 
the  forbidding  future.  Successive  defeats  and  rampant  toryism  dis- 
heartened the  American  people  at  the  South,  and  the  treason  of  Ar- 


71 

nold,  the  uninterrupted  drain  of  men  and  money,  producing  poverty 
and  distress,  chilled  the  hopes  of  the  patriots  at  the  North. 

Yet  in  August  of  this  year,  Washington  conceived  the  plan  of 
taking  New  York  from  the  enemy,  and  consequently  desired  a  force, 
that  would  not  be  constantly  leaving  him  by  expiration  of  service. 
He  therefore  suggested  the  policy  of  enlisting  a  body  of  "  Volunteers 
to  serve  expressly  till  New  York  was  taken,"  and  to  be  called  on  for 
no  other  purpose.  Instantly  twenty-two  men  left  their  labors,  enrolled 
themselves  for  this  purpose,  and  reported  themselves  to  their  captains. 
Three  of  them  were  cousins  of  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  of  the  Revolutionary 
stock.  These  are  the  names  of  those  noble,  fearless  patriots,*  who 
could  forget  even  the  calls  of  other  duties,  the  ties  of  affection,  the 
sacred  delights  of  their  cherished  firesides  and  household  joys,  to  go 
to  the  aid  of  their  country,  suffering,  bleeding  at  every  pore  !  Many 
times  before  that  year,  had  they  responded  to  the  call  of  their  beloved 
chief,  and  only  a  few  days  before  this,  they  had  returned  from  an  ar- 
duous tour  of  service.  Four  hundred  and  forty  out  of  four  hundred 
and  eighty,  the  whole  number  in  the  regiment,  had  been  on  duty. 
But  nothing  could  crush  the  indomitable  energies  of  those  sturdy, 
unselfish  men,  unselfish  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  term.  "History 
does  not  show  a  brighter  example  of  lofty  and  sublime  devotion  to 
the  country's  weal ! 

In  1781,  thirty  men  were  added  to  the  continental  line,  and  in 
1782,  twenty-eight  more.  This  proved  to  be  the  last  time  the  town 
was  called  upon  to  show  its  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  country 
during  the  War  of  Independence.  It  has  been  seen  that  the  efforts 
of  our  town  to  subserve  the  good  cause,  began  to  grow  weaker  and 
weaker,  as  the  strength  of  its  soldiers  wasted  away  before  the  pesti- 
lence, and  the  deadly  struggle  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  its  wealth 
disappeared  under  the  ever  fresh  levies  of  supplies  for  the  army,  and 
the  support  of  the  troops.  It  would  seem,  that  overwhelmed  with 
debt,  as  the  country  then  was,  it  could  hardly  have  held  out  much 
longer.  But  however  that  might  have  been,  it  seems  that  a  kind  Prov- 
idence had  designed,  in  His  wisdom,  to  spare  them  the  trial.  To  Him 
"  who  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  it  seemed  good  to  say  to 
pride,  power  and  oppression,  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no  farther." 
Early  next  year,  just  eight  years  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Great 
Britain  made  propositions  for  peace,  and  hostilities  terminated.  Many 
of  the  soldiers  of  Woodbury  were  present  at  the  surrender  of  Lord 


*  The  names  of  these  volunteers  were  here  exhibited  to  the  audience,  on  a 
placard,  by  the  speaker. 


72 

Cornwallis,  which  virtually  closed  the  war.  The  eyes  of  these  surviv- 
ors of  a  ruthless  warfare  beheld  a  glad  sight  on  the  morn  of  the  19th  of 
October,  when  in  solemn  silence — not  amid  the  smoke  and  carnage  of 
the  battle-field — they  saw  the  brave  Gen.  Lincoln  receive  the  sword 
of  Lord  Cornwallis, — the  strength  and  glory  of  the  British  army,  on 
this  side  of  the  water,  broken  and  destroyed.  Well  might  the  news 
of  this  auspicious  event  spread  universal  joy,  as  it  did,  throughout  the 
country.  Well  might  all  hearts  unite  in  pi'aise  and  thanksgiving  to 
God,  for  this  signal  blessing,  which  was  to  terminate  our  struggle  for 
independence.  It  was  not  inappropriate,  that  Washington  ordered 
divine  service  to  be  performed  throughout  the  army ;  and  that  Con- 
gress proceeded  in  solemn  procession  to  the  House  of  God,  to  ac- 
knowledge its  grateful  sense  of  this  special  favor. 

But  this  great  boon  had  been  obtained  by  dangers,  and  toil,  and 
misei'ies,  with  scarcely  an  equal  in  the  annals  of  mankind !  The 
blood  of  the  dwellers  in  these  fair  vales,  and  in  each  town  and  hamlet 
of  our  land,  was  shed  like  water  on  every  glorious  battle-field  of  our 
country,  from  the  skirmish  at  Lexington  to  the  ever  memorable  siege 
of  Yorktown — from  the  sad  massacre  of  the  fair  and  poetic  vale 
of  Wyoming  to  the  field  of  honor  on  the  heights  of  Saratoga.  Their 
worldly  goods,  so  dearly  earned,  were  freely  offered  on  the  altar  of 
their  country's  good.  Hunger,  cold,  privation  of  every  sort,  were 
cheerfully  endured.  Every  tie  which  nature  holds  dear,  and  which 
binds  the  hearts  of  men  in  conjugal,  paternal,  or  fraternal  bands  to 
the  well-known  hearth-stone,  were  sundered  at  the  call  of  our  suffei*- 
ing  country  in  her  hour  of  need,  and  of  peril.  They  went  forth  with 
bounding  hearts,  and  athletic,  manly  forms.  Many  of  them  found 
honored  graves  in  various  parts  of  our  land,  and  many  more  returned 
with  dire  diseases,  mutilated  frames  and  shattered  health — the  merest 
wreck  of  what  they  were — to  the  firesides  that  had  missed  their  pres- 
ence for  months  and  years.  But  the  result  of  their  labors  was  glorious 
beyond  expectation,  or  even  the  dreams  of  the  most  hopeful.  They 
wrought  well — a  redeemed  and  widely  extended  people,*  now  rejoices 
in  the  result  of  their  toils  and  sufferings.  Many  long  years  have 
rolled  their  slow  course  away,  since  the  thrilling  scenes  of  the  Revo- 
lution were  acted,  but  they  live,  engraved  on  the  hearts  of  a  grateful 
and  happy  posterity.  The  heroic  events  of  that  important  period,  the 
immortal  deeds  of  our  fathers,  shall  live,  too,  oa  the  brightest  page  of 
history,  while  thought  shall  endure,  or  the  recollection  of  human  great- 
ness shall  remain.  If  there  he  "a  recompense  of  reward"  for  those 
that  do  well,  surely  our  patriot  sires  have  long  since  entered  on  a 
bright  fruition ! 


73 

Thus  liave  we  wandered  through  the  flowery  fields  of  the  past, 
plucking  here  and  there  a  sweet  garland  of  wild  flowers  by  the  way- 
side, and  another  in  the  cultivated  gardens  of  advancing  civilization, 
as  best  suited  our  purpose.  We  have  endeavored,  in  our  humble 
way,  duly  to  reverence  and  honor  the  past.  We  have  traced  witli 
pious  toil  the  varying  tints,  the  lights  and  shadows  of  the  pioneer  life 
of  our  sainted  fathers,  who  occupied  these  seats  before  us.  We  have 
rendered  them  a  willing  and  a  filial  tribute  of  love,  duty  and  recol- 
lection. There  is  a  pure  and  unalloyed  pleasure  in  wandering  amid 
the  scenes  and  incidents  of  the  long  buried  past.  There  is  a  sad, 
though  ennobling  interest,  in  seeking  the  faintest  recorded  trace  of 
the  early  fathers.  The  eye  has  kindled  at  the  ancient  glories,  and 
the  soul  has  been  warmed  with  a  placid  flow  of  tender  heart  sympa- 
thies. In  the  wealth  of  the  past,  full  well  have  we  traced  "  God's 
hand  in  history."  No  inquiries  can  be  more  interesting  to  the  intel- 
ligent student,  seeking  guidance  from  the  light  of  former  days,  and 
desiring  above  all  to  emulate  that  sublime  intermixture  of  the 
true  principles  of  stability  and  progress,  so  happily  blended  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  forefathers.  The  feelings  that  prompt  these  filial  inquiries 
are  just  and  natural — they  give  birth  to  some  of  the  dearest  charities 
of  life,  and  fortify  some  of  its  sternest  virtues.  The  principle  that 
prompts  them,  lies  deep  within  our  nature.  In  the  beautiful  words 
of  one  of  the  most  eminent  of  living  orators* :  "  The  sacred  tie  of 
family,  which,  reaching  backward  and  forward,  binds  the  generations 
of  men  together,  and  draws  out  the  plaintive  music  of  our  being  from 
the  solemn  alternation  of  cradle  and  grave — the  black  and  white 
keys  of  life's  harpsichord ;  the  magical  power  of  language,  which 
puts  spirit  in  communion  with  spirit,  in  distant  periods  and  climes  ; 
the  grand  sympathies  of  country,  which  lead  the  Greeks  of  the 
present  day  to  talk  of  '  the  victories  which  toe  gained  over  the  bar- 
barians at  Marathon  ; "  the  mystic  tissue  of  race,  woven  far  back  in 
the  dark  chambers  of  the  past,  and  which,  after  the  vicissitudes  and 
migrations  of  centuries,  wraps  up  great  nations  in  its  broad  mantle — 
those  significant  expressions  which  carry  volumes  of  meaning  in  a 
word, — Forefather,  Parent,  Child,  Posterity,  Native  Land, — these  all 
teach  us  not  blindly  to  worship,  but  duly  to  honor  the  past ;  to  study 
the  lessons  of  experience ;  to  scan  the  high  counsels  of  man,  in  his 
great  associations,  as  those  counsels  have  been  developed  in  constitu- 
tions, in  laws,  in  maxims,  in  traditions,  in  great  undoubted  principles 
of  right  and  wrong,  which  have  been  sanctioned  by  the  general  con- 

*  Hon.  Edward  Everett. 
10 


74 

sent  of  those  who  have  gone  before  us  ;  thus  tracing  in  human  insti- 
tutions some  faint  reflection  of  that  Divine  Wisdom,  which  fashioned 
the  leaf  that  unfolded  itself  six  weeks  ago  in  the  forest,  on  th^  pattern 
of  the  leaf  which  was  bathed  in  the  dews  of  Paradise,  in  the  morning 
of  creation."  While  rendering,  therefore,  due  homage  to  the  past, 
and  profiting  by  all  its  honored  maxims,  we  would'  not  blindly  wor- 
ship it.  In  the  proud  consciousness  of  manhood,  we  should  not  fear 
the  present,  or  its  bold  and  startling  issues,  nor  should  we  be  distrust- 
ful of  the  future,  and  of  the  hidden  mysteries  it  may  have  in  store. 
We  should  not  fear  the  rapid  march  of  events  across  the  stage  of 
life.  We  would  not  build  a  fair  superstructure  on  the  ruins  of  former 
times,  nor  would  we  "  bind  down  the  living,  breathing,  burning  pres- 
ent," to  the  mouldering,  though,  honored  relics  of  the  past.  We  would 
rather  imitate  all  that  was  glorious  in  the  acts  and  example  of  the 
"  men  of  seventy-six,  the  boldest  men  of  progress  the  world  has  ever 
seen."  We  would  emblazon  their  great  principles  of  conservative 
progress  with  a  pencil  dipped  in  fire.  We  are  proud  of  the  past, 
glory  in  the  present,  and  look  hopefully  forwai'd  to  the  future.  We 
do  not  even  fear  enthusiasts  and  ultraists,  as  from  the  collision  of 
extremes  comes  the  ever  truthful  mean.  We  would  so  mingle  them, 
that  there  "  should  flow  in  harmonious  procession  the  cadence  of  a 
history  chiming  on  through  the  centuries,  full  of  faith  and  praise." 
We  would  fearlessly  meet  the  issues  we  cannot  avoid,  while  the  past 
impels  and  the  future  summons  us  to  prompt  action,  occupying  as  we 
do  the  great  middle  ground,  between  the  early  age  of  planting  and 
the  bright  harvest  of  the  future,  which  stretches  towards  us  its  hands 
laden  with  ripened  fruit.  We  would  hasten  to  the  golden  fields  and 
bright  realizations  of  the  days  to  come.  Our  acts  are  not  for  an  age, 
but  for  all  time. 

In  the  spirit  of  liberty  lies  the  secret  of  the  great  advance  made 
by  our  town,  and  by  the  whole  country.  Our  fathers  were  the  cham- 
pions of  rational,  conservative  progress,  which  has  been  the  crown- 
ing glory  of  our  land.  By  this  effective  agency,  every  thing  has 
become  new.  The  desert  waste,  that  met  the  first  gaze  of  our  pio- 
neer ancestors,  has  been  made  to  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 
Where  once  were  but  scattered  cabins  of  a  former  race,  are  now 
enterprising  and  busy  villages.  The  ceaseless  hum  of  machinery, 
giving  employment,  competence  and  happiness  to  hundreds  of  fami- 
lies, is  now  heard  in  our  valleys,  which  in  the  early  days  but  echoed 
back  the  growl  of  the  bear,  the  cry  of  the  panther,  or  the  dismal 
howl  of  the  wolf.  Instead  of  the  wretched  orgies  of  the  powwow, 
and   the   inhuman    sacrifices   of    the   midnight    of   barbarism,  are 


75 

churches  dedicated  to  the  living  God,  where  prayer  and  praise  are 
wont  to  be  made.  Schools  and  colleges,  those  gi'eat  nurseries  of 
cultivated  humanity,  abound  in  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  land. 
Where  once  were  cherished  the  savage  instincts  of  men,  and  a  taste 
for  war,  now  are  cultivated  the  arts  of  peace  and  schemes  for  the 
happiness  and  advancement  of  mankind.  Intelligence  and  enterprise 
now  take  the  place  of  ignorance  and  sloth.  These  hills  and  vales, 
that  groaned  with  scenes  of  violence  and  blood,  are  now  made  vocal 
with  the  praises  of  the  Great  Creator.  Instead  of  a  race  groping  in 
the  shadow  of  dim  imaginings,  we  find  one  filled  with  hopes  of  a 
rational  and  glorious  immortality.  Our  fatliers  found  a  howling 
wilderness ;  we  behold  to-day,  as  the  result  of  their  labors,  from 
which  they  long  have  rested,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  New 
England's  many  lovely  villages.  Change,  great  and  all-pervading, 
has  been  written,  in  every  form,  on  the  face  of  society.  Two  hundred 
years  ago,  there  was  but  a  handful  of  people,  scattered  in  detached 
bands,  along  the  Atlantic  seaboard,  and  some  of  the  larger  rivers ; 
now  the  borders  of  this  hapjjy  republic  stretch  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  the  great  Lakes  of  the  North  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  During  the  two  centuries  that  have  passed,  since  our  fore- 
fathers first  traversed  these  solitudes,  more  important  events,  bearing 
upon  the  happiness  of  mankind,  have  occurred,  than  in  all  the  ages 
which  preceded  it,  save  one,  that  blessed  the  world  eighteen  hundred 
years  ago.  Two  hundred  years  ago  there  was  not  a  single  printing 
press  this  side  the  great  deep,  and  one  hundred  years  ago  there  were 
but  four.  Now  the  press  is  everywhere,  and  by  the  magic  power 
of  steam,  and  the  perfection  of  machinery,  thousands  of  copies  are 
thrown  off  in  a  single  hour.  The  iron  horse  takes  the  traveler 
hundreds  of  miles  in  a  day,  through  the  fastnesses  of  the  hills, 
and  over  yawning  chasms,  at  a  single  leap.  The  lightning  now 
flashes  intelligence,  with  the  celerity  of  thought,  all  over  our  ex- 
tended country,  by  means  of  a  network  of  wires,  like  the  nerves 
of  the  body,  extending  in  every  direction.  All  these  agencies  we 
welcome  as  the  results  of  the  conjoined  and  patriotic  labors  of  the 
past  for  the  advancement  of  civilization  and  the  good  of  the  world. 

Great  indeed  have  been  the  results  of  the  labors  of  our  fathers^ 
especially  during  the  Revolution,  not  only  to  our  own  favored  land, 
but  to  the  world.  Since  that  hour  of  deadly  peril  was  passed,  our 
nation  has  gone  prosperously  on,  and  we  are  almost  miraculously 
increased  from  three  to  nearly  thirty  millions  of  freemen.  Lib- 
erty and  equality  are  interwoven  with  every  fibre  of  our  institutions. 


76 

Freedom  of  thought  and  of  conscience  is  the  pole-star  of  our  ex- 
istence. The  active  and  enterprising  spirit  of  the  age  has  given 
us  a  vigorous  and  original  literature.  The  universal  diffusion  of 
knowledge  is  the  grand  characteristic  of  our  country.  By  means 
of  this,  the  most  distant  member  of  our  population,  wliich  surges  to 
and  fro  like  the  waves  of  old  ocean,  is  visited  in  his  home  on  the 
broad  prairie,  or  among  the  everlasting  hills,  and  prepared  to  act  his 
part  in  the  great  system  of  republican  institutions.  A  bright  destiny 
for  us,  under  God,  may  be  predicted,  far  more  glorious  than  king  or 
potentate  ever  gloried  in.  In  the  spirit  of  liberty,  inculcated  by 
every  act  of  our  fathers,  lies  the  secret  of  the  present  condition  of 
our  kind.  Exalted  indeed  is  the  position  of  us,  who  live  in  the  nine- 
teenth century.  AVe  stand  amid  the  mighty  ruins  of  the  far  distant 
past,  while  the  clear  light  of  liberty  has  just  dawned  in  full  effulgence 
upon  the  world.  Events  of  the  greatest  importance  succeed  each 
other  with  electric  speed.  We  must  ride  out  the  storm,  and  control 
the  swelling  flood,  or  be  overwhelmed  amid  its  angry  waves.  "  For 
us  has  been  reserved  the  glorious,  yet  perilous  task,  of  remodeling 
society — for  us  a  vital  share  in  the  regeneration  of  mankind."  Our 
trust  is  in  the  lofty  patriotism  and  intelligence  of  the  people,  and  we 
are  cheered  on  by  the  hope,  that  the  perfection  of  humanity,  having 
sought  in  vain  throughout  the  whole  world  for  a  permanent  resting 
place,  may  here,  in  this  western  land,  take  up  its  final  abode. 

What  shall  be  the  developments  and  improvements  in  our  highly 
favored  territory,  a  hundred  years  hence  ?  The  answer  to  this  ques- 
tion must  depend  mainly  upon  ourselves.  Of  all  this  vast  concourse, 
not  one  will  be  here  to  celebrate  the  next  centennial.  Long  ere 
another  centennial  sun  shall  rise  over  this  lovely  valley,  we  shall 
have  experienced  the  "  last  of"  earth,"  and  passed  to  join  the 
innumerable  company  of  the  dead  !  "  Tlie  dead  of  old  Woodbury  ! 
Lost,  yet  found  forever — absent,  yet  present  now,  and  always — dead, 
but  living  in  that  glorious  life,  which,  commencing  on  the  confines  of 
time,  spreads  onward,  and  ever  onward,  through  the  endless  ages  of 
eternity!"  Then  let  us,  by  the  nobleness  of  our  conduct,  and  the 
purity  of  our  lives,  eschewing  all  low  delights  and  jarring  discords, 
strive  to  add  our  mite  to  the  great  and  good  history  of  our  sainted 
fathers,  who  have  "  ascended  into  glory."  Then  will  our  children, 
as  they  shall,  witli  wet  lids,  assemble  here,  a  hundred  years  hence, 
to  commemorate  our  history,  be  enabled  to  say  of  us,  "  they  wrought 
well,  and  have  I'cceived  the  reward  of  their  labors."  Then  shall  our 
fame,  as  well  as  that  of  those  glorious  men  who  have  already  entered 


77 

into  their  rest,  be  perennial  with  our  noble  language,  in  which  it  is 
recorded,  now  "  spread  more  widely  than  any  that  has  ever  given 
expression  to  human  thought."  Let  them,  in  that  distant  hour  of 
commemoration,  be  enabled  to  apply  to  our  memories,  our  virtues, 
and  our  words,  that  beautiful  apostrophe  of  our  most  eloquent  histo- 
rian, to  the  English  tongue :  "  Go  forth,  then,  language  of  Milton 
and  Hampden,  language  of  my  country ;  take  possession  of  the 
North  American  continent !  Gladden  the  waste  places  with  every 
tone,  that  has  been  rightly  struck  on  the  English  lyre,  with  every 
English  word,  that  has  been  spoken  well  for  liberty  and  for  man ! 
Give  an  echo  to  the  now  silent  and  solitary  mountains ;  gush  out 
with  the  fountains  that  as  yet  sing  their  anthems  all  day  long  without 
response  ;  fill  the  valleys  with  the  voices  of  love  in  its  purity,  the 
pledges  of  friendship  in  its  faithfulness ;  and  as  the  morning  sun 
drinks  the  dew-drops  from  the  flowers  all  the  way  from  the  dreary 
Atlantic  to  the  Peaceful  Ocean,  meet  him  with  the  joyous  hum  of  the 
early  industry  of  fi-eemen !  Utter  boldly  and  spread  widely  through 
the  world,  the  thoughts  of  the  coming  apostles  of  the  people's  liberty, 
till  the  sound  that  cheers  the  desert  shall  thrill  through  the  heart  of 
humanity,  and  the  lips  of  the  messenger  of  the  people's  powei",  as 
he  stands  in  beauty  upon  the  mountains,  shall  proclaim  the  I'enovating 
tidings  of  equal  freedom  for  the  race  ! " 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Cothren's  Address,  after  music  from  the  Band, 
the  vast  multitude  repaired  to  the  tents,  provided  with  an  abundance 
of  eatables  by  the  good  ladies  of  the  several  towns,  where  they  were 
hospitably  entertained.  In  a  brief  space,  the  people  were  again 
summoned  to  the  stand,  and  the  exercises  were  opened  by  music 
from  the  Band,  followed  by  the  well-known  song,  "The  Pil- 
grim Fathers,"  sung  with  fine  elfect  by  Gilbert  Somers  Minor,  an 
aged  man  of  silvery  locks  and  long  white  beard.  Then  followed  a 
Historical  Poem  by  Rev.  Williain  Thompson  Bacon,  of  "Woodbury, 
as  follows : — 


SIEES    AND    SONS, 


A  HISTORICAL  POEM; 


PRONOUNCEB    AT    THE 


Mfloifbnrg  Ctntfnnial  OTdeliration, 


JULY  4rth,  1859. 


By  rev.  WM.  THOMPSON  BACON. 


POEM. 


ARGUMENT. 

A  band  of  Pioneers  spy  out  the  land — Advent  of  the  first  Colony  over 
Good  Hill — Descent  into  the  valley,  their  location,  some  facts  about  them, 
and  why  they  came — Pass  a  hundred  years,  with  some  notices  of  descend- 
ants— Summary  of  the  Puritan  character. 


Two  hundred  years  ago,  as  records  say, 
*Five  sturdy  settlers  left  old  Stratford  Bay, — 
Wells,  Harvey,  Uffoot,  Curtiss  and  John  Minor, 
The  last,  of  this  design  the  grand  designei", — 
And,  turning  to  these  northern  solitudes. 
Sought  out  a  home,  among  the  gloomy  vv^oods. 

But  first,  as  honest  settlers  ought  to  do, 
They  seek  a  title  to  the  land  in  view ; — 
So  turning  eastward,  far  as  Naugatunk,t 
Where  dwelt  an  Indian  Chief — not  always  drunk, — 
Of  him,  and  paying  large  of  course,  they  bought 
All  the  wide-stretching  region  that  they  sought. 

This  region,  as  I  learn  by  efforts  great — 
(The  muses  are  exact  in  what  they  state) 
Was  bounded  northward  by  a  trail,  that  lay 
Over  old  Bantam  Hill,|  nine  miles  each  way ; 
Westward,  it  came,  the  parted  hills  among. 
As  Ousatonuc  rolls  his  bulk  along ; 

*  John  Wells,  Eichard  Harvey,  Thomas  Ufifoot,  John  Curtiss,  John  Minor. 
t  Paugasset,  now  Derby. 
X  Section  of  Litcliiield. 


80 

Southward,  from  this,  due  east,  to  Naugatunk, 
Where  dwelt  the  aforesaid  Chief — so  seklom  drunk,- 
And  eastward,  by  that  river,  till  we  come 
Back  to  the  region  that  we  started  from ; — 
All  this  they  buy,  I  dont  know  for  what  sum, 
Perhaps  three  hatchets  and  a  quart  of  rum. 

Sharp  purchase  that,  you  say — but  stop,  /say, — 
What  know  you  of  the  land's  worth  in  that  day  ? — 
What  did  it  bear,  all  this  widQ  stretch  of  land. 
That  here,  in  loveliness,  we  see  expand  ? 
Perhaps  a  little  maize,  some  worthless  chief 
Scourged  his  poor  wife,  to  plant  for  his  relief; 
Perhaps  a  plot  of  beans  the  white  man  gave  him, 
Yet  not  enough  of  these  from  death  to  save  him ; 
With  here  and  there  a  vile  tobacco  weed, 
That  he  might  smoke  a  little  in  his  need  ; — 
The  rest  all  left  where  cat  or  bear  might  prowl, 
Or  echo  to  the  desert  wolf's  long  howl ; — 
All  this  wide  stretch  of  land,  and  we  to  give 
This  up,  that  five  old  chiefs,  like  brutes,  might  live ! 

Perhaps  it  were  a  little  more  like  song, 
A  little  more  to  romance  doth  belong, 
To  picture  here  this  loveliest  paradise, 
With  all  its  glowing  woods  and  streams  and  skies, 
As  sheltering,  Messing,  in  its  riches  rare, 
A  race  of  demi-gods,  and  angels  fair ! 
Imagination,  as  she  loves  to  paint, 
And  lay  her  colors  on  without  restraint, 
Might  tell  us  of  the  bowers  here  in  the  wood. 
Where  once  the  Sachem  and  his  Shannup  stood, — 
Of  lonely  walk  in  solitary  glade, 
Of  Indian  lover  with  his  Indian  maid ; 
Of  hero,  prophet,  sage,  and  all  that  throng. 
That  roll  and  thunder  in  the  poet's  song ; — 
But  let  me  tell  you — me — one  of  the  men, 
That  do  this  thing,  with  pencil  or  with  pen, — 
That  this  same  ancient  race  we  thus  exalt. 
And  talk  and  sing  about  as  without  fault ; 


81 


Clothing  them  with  all  virtues  and  all  graces, 
As  if  they  were  indeed  earth's  godlike  races, — 
They  were,  to  say  the  truth,  and  shun  the  evil, 
But  little  better  than  the  "  very  devil." 
They  never  had  one  true,  heroic  thought ! 
Nothing  divine  from  Him  divine  was  caught ! 
They  were  an  earthly,  animal,  hard  stock. 
Somewhere  between  a  crocodile  and  rock ; 
Full  of  revenge,  as  is  a  coal  with  fire. 
Full  of  all  passions — but  no  pure  desire  ; 
Mean,  grasping,  selfish,  lying,  filtliy,  too, 
A  drunken,  squabbling,  shouting,  cursing  crew ; 
Making  their  women  toil,  that  they  might  sleep, 
Making  their  women  run,  that  they  miglit  creep ; 
Kicking  them  from  their  wigwams  when  grown  old- 
In  short,  to  every  vice  and  demon  sold, — 
Till  Nature,  tired  of  this,  her  favorite  quite, 
Snapp'd  the  life  cord,  and  put  him  out  of  sight. 

I  know,  these  loveliest  of  our  Saxon  homes — 
With  whom  all  loveliness  by  birth-right  comes, — 
Will  feel  the  singer,  with  rude  hand,  among 
Their  fond  divinities  of  Romance  and  Song, 
Is  playing  harshly, — yet  he  bids  me  say, 
That  truth  is  truer  than  a  poet's  lay 
And  truth  is  dearer  to  some  singers,  than 
These  fancy  types  of  Indian  maid  and  man  ; 
And  he  perhaps  will  show  you,  ere  we  part. 
That  he  can  touch  the  fancy  or  the  heart. 
Fired  by  the  beauty  that  may  be  abroad, 
Amid  the  grandeur  of  the  works  of  God  ! — 
Thrill  with  the  grandest,  softening  with  the  weak, 
Fired  by  the  noble,  melting  with  the  meek, 
Till  ye  shall  learn,  the  poet's  first,  best  thought, 
Comes  from  no  object,  where  the  truth  is — not  ! 

These  five  old  settlers — we  go  back  to  them. 
These  five  old  settlers, — you  have  had  each  name,— 
Two  hundred  years  ago,  their  title  got, 
Turn  their  flint  faces  for  the  land  they  sought. 

11 


82 


Up  the  bright  stream,  now  Ousatonuc  call'd, 
Then  Pootatook,  its  sides  the  most  part  wall'd 
So  grandly,  by  tall,  perpendicular  crags. 
Or  now  again  by  meadows  and  pine  snags — 
They  take  their  way, — each  one  upon  his  back 
A  musket,  with  his  victuals  in  a  pack. 
They  reach  the  place  where  Pomperaug  comes  out, 
Under  the  arching  wood,  with  noisy  shout, 
(Down  where  the  river  splits  the  mountain  ridge, 
And  which  we  vulgarly  call  Bennet's  Bridge,) 
And,  taking  this,  they  follow  it,  long  whiles. 
Leaving  behind  them  half  a  score  of  miles ; 
Passing  South  Britain,  pleasant,  sunny  place, 
Hugg'd  by  its  hill-sides  in  a  close  embrace; 
Pass  Poverty,*  White  Oak,t  and  then,  soon  after. 
The  rich  alluvial  plain  of  Middle  Quarter;  J 
Until  they  reach  this  central  vale,  and  stand 
And  look  az'ound  upon  the  unknown  land  ! 

It  is  a  thought  of  beauty  and  of  fear. 
To  look  upon  those  lonely  wanderers  here, — 
The  tirst  white  men  that  ever  stood  upon 
This  ancient  soil,  or  look'd  upon  the  sun, — 
And  try  an  instant  to  call  up  the  power. 
That  lay  upon  their  souls  in  that  still  hour ! 
Was  it  not  solemn,  as  they  paus'd  to  view 
The  embracing  hills,  or  look'd  upon  the  blue 
Broad  heaven,  that,  like  a  canopy,  came  down. 
And  rested  on  the  circling  mountains'  crown. 
They  all  alone,  alone,  amid  the  scene, — 
A  solemn,  silent,  wilderness  of  green  ? 
O,  had  some  power,  one  little  moment  then, 
Flashed  through  the  minds  of  these  heroic  men, 
The  mighty  future,  from  the  distance  caught. 
With  all  its  splendid  wealth  of  soul  and  thought. 
It's  strength  and  beauty,  innocence  and  truth. 
And  reverend  age,  and  loving  dreams  of  youth. 
Each  age  successive  gathering  up  the  past. 
Till  the  bright  present  on  their  souls  was  cast, — 

*  t  Localities  of  Southburj.         t  Locality  of  Woodbury. 


83 

"Would  there  been  wanting  to  that  spot  and  time, 
One  single  element  of  the  grand  sublime  ? — 
And  would  they  not  have  trembled,  in  each  sense, 
At  God's  unfolding,  mighty  Providence? 

These  brave  men  scoured  the  region  all  around. 
Sought  every  spot,  and  all  its  promise  found, — 
The  gentle  valley  and  the  rounded  hill. 
The  winding  stream  and  solitary  rill ; 
Each  opening  vista  through  the  forest  glade, 
And  every  charm  by  freak  of  Nature  made, — 
From  the  cool  grotto,  where  the  brooklets  run. 
To  splinter'd  peak,  tall  black'ning  in  the  sun ; — 
At  last,  discovering  what  they  came  for,  pleas'd 
With  what  they'd  purchas'd,  not,  like  robbers,  seized. 
Back  to  old  Stratford's  strand  they  turn  once  more, 
And  tell  the  wondrous  story  o'er  and  o'er. 


Roll  back  the  tide  of  time !  and  let  us  stand 
Two  hundred  years  ago,  with  that  brave  band. 
Who,  from  the  hill,  that,  westering,  skirts  this  scene, 
Looked  down  upon  its  rolling  forests  green, 
And,  gazing,  as  they  might,  with  strange  surprise, 
Let  the  whole  mighty  landscape  fill  their  eyes ! 

Roll  back  the  tide !  and  let  us,  as  we  may. 
Group,  in  our  thought,  the  picture  of  that  day, — 
Of  that  brave  band  along  the  forests  led. 
Now  climbing  steeps,  now  where  the  waters  spread, — 
Startled,  how  oft,  to  catch  that  sound  of  fear. 
The  bark  of  cat,  or  yell  of  mountaineer, — 
Till  where  yon  mountain  rising  to  the  blue, 
Gave  all  this  glorious  landscape  to  their  view ! 

Far  to  the  north,  hills  over  hills  survey, 
Till  their  blue  tops  are  mingled  with  the  day; 
Far  to  the  south  the  widening  vale  extends. 
Whose  wealth  of  splendor  every  beauty  lends; 
Far  to  the  west,  in  wide  succession  spread, 
Valley  and  hill,  and  jutting  mountain  head ; 
While  right  before  them,  'neath  the  morning  sky, 
Nature's  wide  wonders  all,  were  in  their  eye ! 


84 


I  wonder  much,  if  those  broad-breasted  men, 
In  that  I'ough  age — (it  will  not  come  again, — 
Should  not  perhaps) — I  wonder  if  they  view'd 
As  we,  this  mighty  stretch  of  wave  and  wood! 
The  Spring's  first  bird  was  whistling  in  the  sky, 
Thii  fragrant  birch  its  tassels  flaunted  nigh; 
Through  the  moist  mould,  in  beauty  ever  young, 
Tall  ranks  of  flowers  on  every  bank  were  flung ; 
Far  by  the  streams,  as  here  and  there  they  view'd, 
The  classic  willow,  by  the  brook-side  stood. 
Trembling  all  over  in  the  morning's  beam, 
Or  playing  with  its  shadow  on  the  stream ; 
Tlie  yoving  winds  bore  their  fragrance  all  about, 
Mingled  with  hum  of  bee  and  torrent's  shout, 
And  the  wide  air  with  all  those  sounds  was  filled. 
That  fancy  ever  dream'd,  or  heart  has  thrill'd ; — 
I  wonder  how  those  men,  of  stalwart  mien, 
In  that  sweet  morn  looked  forth  upon  the  scene ! 

One  mighty  purpose  all  that  age  had  fired, 
One  mighty  aim  each  swelling  soul  inspired ; 
One  truth,  fast  lock'd,  in  every  soul  was  kept, 
That  conscience  guarded,  and  that  never  slept ; — 
Man  came  from  God,  in  his  own  image  made. 
And  by  that  charter  certain  rights  conveyed; — 
Those  rights  long  trampled  by  an  hireling  throne, 
Had  sent  them  forth,  to  ways  and  wilds  unknown ; 
Here  on  bleak  shores,  soft  breezes  seldom  press'd, 
Here  mid  rude  scenes,  gay  fancy  seldom  dress'd, 
Alone,  mid  death,  in  want  of  all  but  worth. 
They  battled  for  the  noblest  prize  on  earth, — 
Man  in  his  native  dignity  to  stand. 
Himself  a  prince  and  ruler  of  the  land ! 

Small  time  had  they  then  for  the  mere  ideal. 
Their  love  was  truth,  their  present  life  all  real; 
They  walked  the  woi'ld,  faith's  vision  never  dim, 
Saw  not  God's  works,  they  only  gazed  on  Ifim  ! 

Tell  me,  ye  sons  of  that  imperial  race, 
Imperial  only,  as  their  truth  ye  trace; — 


85 

Those  brave  men,  scorning  courts,  and  kingly  crew, 
And  only  daring  less  than  angels  do; — 
Tell  me,  if  prince  or  nobleman  there  be, 
Can  boast  a  prouder  ancestry  than  we! 


Come  down  the  hill-side  with  our  gallant  band, 
And  let  us  trace  them  round  upon  the  land; 
Upward  and  downward,  over  all  they  go. 
Northward  and  southward,  east  and  west  they  flow. 

'Tis  thought  a  party  pierce  to  Nonewog,* 
Where  dwelt  a  chief,  whose  name  rhymes  well  with  hog; 
Another  pierce  to  Weekeepeemee's  plain, 
And  scour  that  region  o'er  and  o'er  again  ; 
Some  pierce  to  Quasapog,  perhaps  beyond 
That  sheet  with  classic  name,  yclept  a  pond  1 
Some  scour  West  Side,  then  south,  down  Hesky  Meadow, 
Then  over  Rag  Land  hills,  till  they  are  lead  to 
Grim  Poverty's  hard  name,  yet  not  hard  soil. 
Then  they  divide,  and  scour  White  Oak  awhile ; 
Then  coming  north,  hungry  as  wolves  for  slaughter, 
They  camp  upon  the  plain  of  Middle  Quarter, 
Where  stands  an  oak,  or  did,  'neath  which  they  found 
Their  first  night's  sleep  upon  the  cold,  damp  ground. 

One  moment  pause.     What  a  suggestive  rest. 
Was  that,  that  night,  upon  the  earth's  cold  breast .' 
Home  far  away,  on  every  side  a  wood, 
And  the  whole  scene  impressive  solitude  ! 
They  had  no  past,  but  such  as  wrung  a  groan, 
They  had  no  future,  but  they  stood  alone ; 
No  wealth,  no  name,  possessions,  but  His  power, 
On  which  to  lean  in  such  a  solemn  hour ; — 
Tell  me  of  heroes  in  the  battle's  van, 
Earth  looking  on  to  call  us  knave  or  man ; 
The  genuine,  god-like  deed  by  this  is  known — 
That  which  we  hear,  in  silence,  and  alone! 

Records  declare  the  Shermans  take  their  stand, 
Just  on  the  edge  of  that  alluvial  land, — 


*  This  and  the  following  are  all  localities  of  "Woodbury. 


"Where  they  dwell  now,  or  rather,  as  yankees  will. 

They've  left  the  bottom  for  the  top  of  the  hill. 

Curtiss  and  Hinman,  moving  south,  evince 

A  love  for  Southbury — they  have  loved  it  since  ; 

Aye,  and  each  other  too,  and  matched  and  mated, 

Till  the  whole  township  is  to  them  related. 

Walkers  come  north,  and  drive  a  stake  deep  down, 

Close  by  a  rock,  that,  over  it  did  frown, 

And  which  now  neighbor  Douglass  calls  his  own, — 

Not  by  descent  exactly,  for  he  plan'd 

To  get  a  jewel  first,  and  then  the  land. 

The  Minors  westward  on  a  gentle  hill, — 

Each  generation  since,  by  solemn  will, 

Has  ever  held  it, — and  one  holds  it  still. 

The  Judson's  farther  north  in  Judson's  Lane, 

The  Warners,  too.     Others — but  I  refrain  ; 

The  Muse  would  tire,  to  mark  the  spots  and  places. 

Where  sank  the  tap-root  of  our  mighty  (?)  races. 

Some  things,  however,  records  well  declare 
About  these  men,  we  note,  to  show  them  fair, 
And,  what  is  more,  to  show  them  as  they  were. 
They  were  not  then,  of  such  a  blear-eyed  kind. 
As  think  to  buy,  or  beg,  or  steal,  or  find 
All  a  man  ought  to  have  in  life's  mere  rind  ; — 
They  enter  into  solemn  covenant, 
First,  to  take  care,  and  feed,  man's  highest  want, 
That  of  his  mind  and  soul,  God's  earnest  plan, 
That  bulwark  of  all  nobleness  in  man  ; — 
A  stake  is  driven  for  a  house  of  God, 
And  then  a  school-house  rises  by  the  road — 
Twin  facts,  that  show  God  did  with  them  abode- 
One  other  fact,  as  noticeable,  I  find — 
A  little  like  a  "  kink  "  in  this  first  mind, — 
Yet  springing  from  a  well-meant  principle, 
So  let  us  honor  it,  or  ill  or  well. 
Each  marCs  home-lot  tvas  limited  in  space.* 
It  seems  they  were  afraid  the  human  race 
Were  not  all  equal  in  life's  steeple  chase ; 

*Fact. 


87 

They  thought,  by  such  apportionment,  to  hold 

Each  one,  as  if  run  in  a  candle  mould — 

All  just  alike,  lame,  halt,  or  blind,  or  bold ; 

A  very  harmless  doctrine  that,  because 

It  happens  He  above,  hath  fixed  some  laws, 

Which  sometimes  bring  men's  follies  to  a  pause  ; 

And  it  appears,  by  further  searching,  that 

Not  all  of  our  good  fathers  were  so  flat, 

As  they  first  seem  in  this  by  looking  at ; 

For  further  resolutions  come,  in  course, 

To  let  the  bolder  few,  that  had  the  force, 

Go  further  back,  and  buy  from  any  source  ; 

So  they  were  equal  in  the  first  law's  point — 

The  second  knocked  the  first  all  out  of  joint. 

It  is'nt  the  first  time  wise  men  their  laws  make, 

Then  legislate  a  little  more,  and  break 

What  they  first  made,  for — common  sense's  sake. 

How  came  these  Pilgrim  Fathers  on  this  spot  ? 
We,  children,  are  concern'd  in't — are  we  not  ? 
Came  they  for  pelf  ?  or  did  some  meaner  thing 
Burn  in  their  souls,  the  motive  and  the  spring  ? 
The  haughtiest  breeze  that  o'er  the  billows  bore 
The  May  Flower  shallop  to  this  western  shore, 
Bore  not,  on  all  that  wild  and  devious  way, 
A  truer,  nobler,  juster  band  than  they, 
Who,  from  our  southern  shore,  came  here  and  stood. 
And  built  their  cabins  in  the  gloomy  wood. 
The  self-same  principle  that  nerved  the  first, 
Burn'd  in  the  second,  and  by  them  was  nurs'd  ; 
Tis  strange  indeed,  how  all  that  age  seems  fired 
By  one  grand  principle,  one  "thought  inspired! 
Records  make  plain,  that  arbitrary*  power 
Lay  on  our  fathers  in  their  trial  hour, 
Stern  and  relentless  in  the  first  degree^ 
Abridging  what,  to  them,  was  liberty ! 
The  struggle  then  of  "  Old  lights,"  and  the  "  New," 
Burning  New  England's  churches  through  and  through  ; 

*  The  careful  student  of  this  part  of  our  history  finds,  that  the  first  Colony 
that  came  up  from  Stratford,  were  a  minority,  crowded  out  of  the  Old  Stratford 
Church  by  an  unscrupulous  majority — a  singular  parallel  to  the  extradition  of 
the  first  Puritan  stock  from  old  England. 


88 

The  old,  effete,  worn  matters  of  the  law. 

Fed  not  some  souls — 'twas  famine  in  their  maw ; 

Our  fathers  threw  the  old  away,  and  took 

Their  own  interpretation  of  God's  book ! — 

Man's  great  soul  there,  with  its  far  reaching  thought. 

This  from  the  future,  to  his  knowledge  brought — 

Each  for  himself,  to  man,  or  God,  should  stand, 

Each  one  a  priest  and  ruler  of  the  land  ! — 

A  doctrine  that,  however  spurn'd  or  curs'd, 

Still  to  go  on,  as  by  our  fathers  nurs'd ; 

Change  every  church  to  a  Democracie, 

Change  every  throne  and  state  beyond  the  sea ; 

Till  in  dread  ruin,  from  high  summits  hurl'd. 

Power  topples  down,  o'er  all  the  bondage  world  ; — 

Prerogative,  in  State,  or  Church,  lets  go 

Its  living  grasp  upon  man's  soul  below ; 

Till  every  soul,  unfearing  tyrants'  rod. 

Stands  up  alone,  responsible  to  God ! 

If  nobler  trait  in  any  soul  can  be, 
Of  which  to  justly  boast,  for  you  or  me ; 
If  e'er  from  Heaven  came  down  for  human  kind, 
One  single  element  for  soul  or  mind ; — 
If  power  descended,  dignity,  high  grace. 
Courage  from  God,  to  light  up  form  or  face, — 
Methinks  the  world's  great  records  ought  to  show 
How,  when,  or  where  it  is,  with  man  below  ! 

Earth's  record  has  no  history  like  that — * 
Rocking  three  Islands  like  the  throe  of  Fate  ; — 
Sifting  the  race,  from  highest  to  the  low, 
That  the  good  seed  among  the  chaff  might  show  ; 
Then  howls  them  forth,  and  hounds  them  o'er  the  waves, 
To  lodge  'neath  icy  crags,  in  desert  caves  ; 
Makes  the  land  drear,  to  set  their  feet  upon. 
Takes  all  the  light  away  of  stars  and  sun — 
Till  nought  is  left,  to  please,  to  win,  to  fire. 
Of  all  earth  ever  gives,  that  can  inspire ; 

*  Probably  the  history  of  the  world  presents  us  with  no  records,  either  of  pri- 
vate or  public  heroism,  surpassing  those  found  in  the  history  of  the  early  settle- 
ment of  this  country. 


89' 


That  their  great  souls  to  God  alone  might  go. 
Dwelling  in  Him,  /rom  all  we  love  below ; 
Then  plants,  mid  such  intensest  misery, 
A  germ,  to  lift  the  future  to  the  sky ; — 
Where,  mid  the  records  of  the  race,  like  this. 
Doth  the  true  grandeur  of  man's  soul  arise  ? 

And  these  few  men,  that  stood  here  on  that  day, 
Fresh  from  the  swamps  and  tangled  forest  way, 
Embrown'd,  or  pale,  or  trembling,  or  still  high, 
Faith  in  each  heart,  and  courage  in  each  eye ; 
And  the  meek  matron,  by  her  lord's  proud  side, 
Or  the  sweet  maid,  but  yester  eve  a  bride ; — 
These  were  the  children  of  that  race,  who  came. 
Out  from  the  land  of  bondage  and  of  shame, — 
Bondage  and  shame,  that,  from  her  sacred  breast, 
Unpitying,  cast  her  noblest  and  her  best ! 


Pass  a  bright  century  now  of  rolling  years. 
And  let  us  see  the  scene  as  it  appears. 
How  the  plain  widens  !     How  the  race  spreads  out ! 
Over  yon*  western  hill  a  people  shout ! 
Another  from  the  north-westf  thunders  on. 
Another  from  the  northj — a  Paixian  gun  ! 
The  eastern  fastnesses§  catch  up  the  roar. 
And  send  it  back  as  ocean's  beat,  his  shore  ; 
And  the  south  valley,|l  to  the  line,||  has  voice, 
Mixed  in  with  this  conglomerate,  awful  noise ! 
And  what  are  these  tall  forms  that  rise  up  here  ? 
Brinsmades,  Days,  Porters,  for  a  high  career ; 
And  these  from  Roxbury,  live  oak,  called  Smith, 
And  Southbury  Grahams  and  Wildmen,  men  of  pith 
Curtis,  Stiles,  Strong,  and  Hinman,  names  succinct 
With  light  and  fdfrce,  each  lineament  distinct  ; 


*  Eoxbury. 

t  Washington. 

X  Bethlem. 

§  Middlebury. 

II  Southbury  and  Oxford. 

12 


90 

Eastward  these  Tylers,*  north  in  Bethlehem  fair,t 
There  stands  a  giant  in  the  pulpit  there, 
Whose  eloquence  the  devil's  self  might  scare ! 

I  see  two  stars  shoot  up  the  western  sky,| 
Two  forms  like  Mars,  defiance  in  each  eye ; 
Northward  they  take  their  solitary  way. 
Where  the  Green  Mountains  mingle  with  the  day ; 
Where  like  twin  streams,  down  to  the  vale  they  go, 
A  perfect  thunder-bolt  upon  the  foe ! 
Crown  Points,  Ticonderogas,  Benningtons, 
These  tell  the  story  of  these  gallant  sons, 
Lost  to  this  valley  by  their  splendid  fame, 
For  who  e'er  dreamed  that  we  their  lineage  claim? 

The  Muse,  inquisitive,  one  moment's  space. 
Pauses,  their  perfect  lineaments  to  trace, 
.Just  as  Tradition  gives  their  form  and  face. 
Allen  was  terrible  to  look  upon, 
Broad,  brawny,  hard,  Roxbury's  genuine  son ; 
His  red  eye  burning  like  a  fiery  star. 
And  his  front  wrinkled  like  the  front  of  war; 
The  "  Great  Jehovah,"  "  Continental  Congress," 
Stuck  out  all  over  him,  in  dress  or  undress ; 
And  his  fierce  will,  that  knitted  every  limb, 
Show'd  God  or  devil  only,  conquer'd  him. 
Warner,  of  equal  girth  and  equal  span, 
Yet  a  most  perfect,  gallant  gentleman ; 
Of  noble  port,  and  broad  and  slab-like  brow. 
Thick,  chestnut  hair,  and  eye  of  heaven's  own  glow ; 
Voice  like  a  clarion,  echoing  wild  and  shrill. 
Like  the  gray  eagle's  call  from  some  far  hill ; 
Hither  and  thither  mid  the  battle's  fire. 
Louder  and  louder  rung,  higher  and  higher! — 
Yet  the  dread  battle  done,  the  cry  for  peace, 
And  not  a  woman's  tears  fell  fast  as  his.  * 

I  wonder  if  these  men  have  left  no  stamp 
Down  to  this  day,  on  wise  man  or  on  scamp, 

*  Dr.  Bennet  Tyler  was  of  this  stock. 

t  Dr.  Joseph  BeUamj^ ;  only  second,  in  point^of  theological  acumen  and  force, 
of  the  theological  names  of  this  country. 

X  Col.  Ethan  Allen  and  Seth  Warner,  both  of  Eoxbury. 


91 

Such  as  shall  let  us  see  the  ancient  fire 
Burn  out  in  son  as  it  burnt  out  in  sire ! 

Or  have  our  modern,  mushroom  virtues  grown, " 
Like  weeds  that  kill  whate'er  they  lean  upon, 
Till  our  loved  vale,  sharing  the  nation's  curse, 
Goes  on  from  good  to  bad,  and  then  to  worse, 
Till  all  these  virtues,  from  our  fathers  sprung. 
Become  the  scorn  of  every  wretch  unhung! 

Ah,  for  the  land,  put  in  the  world's  wide  van, 
To  teach  mankind  to  view  the  perfect  man, — 
Boasting  her  freedom  in  the  world's  full  eye, 
Bound  hand  and  foot  by  her  venality; 
Boasting  her  freedom  from  one  tyrant's  nod, 
Baring  her  back  beneath  the  million's  rod, — 
(As  if  dread  Bondage  had  one  curse  the  less, 
Whether  a  man  or  million  may  oppress ;) 
Boasting  her  knowledge,  liberty  and  law, 
When  every  foreign  fool  may  see  the  flaw; 
With  but  this  virtue,  that  her  Saxon  lust 
Will  have  its  will,  simply  because  it  must, — 
(Strange  power  of  stock! — that,  like  the  sun  on  snows, 
Withers  and  wastes  whatever  it  oppose!) — 
Ah,  for  such  land,  if  faltering  when  He  calls, 
Double  her  deep  damnation,  if  she  falls ! 

Yet  let  us  hope.     Our  fathers  names  still  live, 
And  some  of  their  bright  virtues  still  survive ; 
Brinsmades*  still  live,  Days,t  whose  serene  decay, 
Like  the  sun's  orb,  more  glorious  sink  away; 
Smith,  erst  translated  from  its  rocky|  dell. 
Like  mountain  oak  was  strongest  when  it  fell ; 
Yet  springs  anew,  and  bears  its  honors  well. 
The  Wildman  name  is  gone,  yet  Scottish  Graham§ 
In  his  new  field,  achieves  a  grander  fame. 
The  Curtiss  is  with  double  honor  crown'd. 
Since  here  we  have,  and  right  among  us,  found, 

*  t  Gen'l.  Daniel  Brinsmade,  of  Washington,  and  Jeremiah  Day,  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, both  enjoying  a  serene  old  age,  and  more  than  rich  in  the  lionors  of  a  well 
spent  life. 

I  Hon.  Nath'l  Smith,  born  in  Koxbury,  died  in  this  place,  1822.  No  son  of 
Connecticut,  in  point  of  native  brain  force,  ever  surpassed  him. 

§  John  Lorimer  Graham,  of  New  York. 


92 

Bank,  broker,  farmer,  merchant,  in  one  bound, 

Always  in  good  condition,  always  sound. 

That  primitive  Stiles,  that  chose  to  guide  the  plow. 

Did  up  his  work  to  order — does  so  now; 

That  primitive  Strong,  that  chose  to  fight  and  plow, 

(He  was  a  Captain)  talks^  but  don't  fight  now. 

Those  eastern  Tylers,  strong  as  any  ox. 

Only  grew  sti'onger  and  more  orthodox, 

Till  bold  the  man  who  dared  to  try  the  list. 

His  single  arm  against  their  logic  fist. 

But  that  big  burly  brain,  that,  from  the  north. 

Shot  its  sharp  eloquence  like  lightning  forth, 

That  is  quite  gone — ay,  dwindled  from  the  earth. 

Methinks  I  see  some  other  names  our  mother 
Yet  keeps,  nor  will  she  change  them  for  another; — 
The  Minor,*  from  that  first  Diaconate, 
Down  to  the  last,  a  True  man  and  a  great, — 
Great  in  two  senses — for  his  stalwart  form, 
And  the  rude  eloquence  his  lips  can  storm; 
The  Sherman,  from  that  first  old  honest  John, 
Down  to  the  Rector,t  that  we  look  upon; 
The  Judson,  with  his  mild  and  pleasing  facie, 
Blue  eye,  fair  hair,  the  genuine  Saxon  race ; 
The  Martin,  from  that  first  old  "  Sargent  Sam," 
Down  to  the  last  immaculate,  "  I  am  ; " 
And  scores  of  others  which  I  cannot  name. 
Now  filling  posts  of  honor,  strength,  or  fame. 

But  there's  one  name,  we  will  not  let  that  pass, 
No  more  for  what  it  is,  than  what  it  was ; 
They've  turn'd  monopolists  on  Litchfield  hill. 
And  think  to  keep  the  credit  of  it  still ; 
But  if  they  wish  to  know  whence  came  that  stock, 
Somewhere  between  a  live  oak  and  a  rock, 
Its  springtime  freshness  every  year  renewed, 
As  if  with  everlasting  youth  imbued, — 

*  This  stock  can  boast  an  uninterrupted  "  Apostolic  succession  "  from  the  first 
Diaconate.  Unfortunately  however — that  is,  for  advocates  of  "  succession  " — this 
succession  has  split  in  these  latter  days,  and  given  us  two  most  honored  and  labo- 
rious Deacons  of  the  same  name. 

t  Rev.  Henry  Bcei-s  Sherman,  now  of  Belleville,  N.  Jersey,  the  author's  most 
excellent  early  friend,  and  who  gave  us  a  most  acceptable  sermon,  which  is  found 
in  another  part  of  this  pamphlet. 


93 

We  tell  old  Litchfield,  spite  of  boasts  and  jeers, 
We  claim  the  honor  of  that  sort  of  Beers.* 

And  if  I  dared,  and  could  escape  the  shot, 
Sure  to  return,  explosive,  hissing  hot. 
Another  should  be  suramon'd,  a  grand-son, 
Pleasant  to  know,  and  e'en  to  look  upon, — 
Keen  as  a  scimitar  with  its  first  edge. 
Or,  if  he  will,  as  vigorous  as  a  sledge ; 
His  very  eye  a  pun  in  its  eclipse. 
Before  it  leaps  in  beauty  from  his  lips ; — 
Would  you  his  name,  abated  not  one  jot  ? 
A  very  funny  Chap,  and  man  t  too — doubt  it  not! 

Perhaps  t'were  well,  that  our  imported  shoots 
Receive  their  due,  as  well  as  native  roots. 
Who  bids  the  muse  of  History:}:  unfold 
The  treasures  of  the  past,  or  new  or  old  ; 
By  patient  industry  and  work  well  done. 
Holds  up  the  father's  portrait  to  the  son  ; 
Wins  honor,  and  should  have  it,  shall  do  so. 
Though  ignorance,  hatred,  envy,  all,  say  no. 
And  when,  with  world-wide  fame,  with  honors  graced, 
The  veteran  toilsman§  from  the  realms  of  taste. 
Seeks  our  loved  vale,  to  rest  that  busy  brain, 
That  it,  refreshed,  go  forth  to  toil  again, — 
What  heart  refuses  in  this  note  to  swell. 
Honor  to  him  who  honor  wears  so  well ! 

Nor  shall  be  pass'd  here  our  plain  men  that  shine. 
Have  they  not  come  right  down  the  mighty  line  ? 
Walkers  and  Stoddards  !  || — it  would  puzzle  much 
Those  ancient  men,  to  give  the  modern  touch 

*  Hon.  Seth  P.  Beers,  of  Litchfield,  a  genuine  son  of  the  olden  time,  who, 
though  now  verging  on  his  ninth  decade,  has  yet  all  the  vigor,  intellectual  and 
physical,  of  his  pristine  manhood. 

t  Hon.  Chas.  Chapman,  of  Hartford,  a  grand  son  of  Woodbury,  who  lent  us 
some  of  his  truest  wit  and  pathos  on  the  occasion  of  our  celebration. 

\  Wm.  Cothren,  Esq.,  the  author's  associate  in  the  celebration,  whose  discourse 
precedes  this. 

§  Hon.  S.  G.  Goodrich,  of  world-wide  reputation  under  the  nom  de  plume  of 
"Peter  Parley,"  who,  after  his  world-wide  rambles,  has  "pitched  his  tent"  in  the 
south  part  of  this  beautiful  valley. 

II  It  is  a  notable  fact,  that  the  direct  lineal  male  descendants  of  the  two  first 
most  able  pastors  of  this  town,  now  represent  the  north  and  south  interests  of  the 


94 


To  horse-shoe,  or  cart-wheel,  or  wagon  tire, 
Fresh  from  the  furnace,  sputtering  round  its  fire. 
Arid  if  you  want  a  cart,  sound  as  a  knot. 
Without  a  flaw,  twist,  crack,  or  one  loose  spot. 
In  body,  axle,  tongue,  or  either  wheel, 
Go  up  the  street,  and  call  on  "  Uncle  Bill."  | 
And  men  of  every  grade,  and  every  kind, 
All  arts  and  trades  among  us,  soul  and  mind, 
T  'is  to  be  hoped  the  ancient  virtue  cast 
O'er  all,  round  all,  through  all,  by  lineage  pass'd. 
Lives  in  this  age,  shall  live,  till  stars  expire. 
And  the  world  burns  in  Nature's  funeral  fire. 

The  Muse,  in  curious  mood,  would  picture  here, 
One  or  two  separate  stocks,  as  they  appear. 

She's  speculated  much  upon  one  point. 
And  still  her  logic  is  quite  out  of  joint; — 
Whence  came  that  hardy,  iron,  Atwood  race — 
Their  characters  all  written  in  their  face  ; — 
A  strange,  determined,  energetic  line. 
With  brains  enough  in  any  path  to  shine ; 
Yet  full  of  crosses  as  an  egg  with  meat. 
Of  inconsistencies,  and  yet  discreet ; 
Sharp  to  see  things,  the  wrong  are  always  righting, 
And  always  peaceable — when  they're  not  fighting  ; 
A  race  to  snuggle  to,  if  on  your  side, 
A  race  to  knuckle  to,  if  not  allied  ; 
Wise,  sober,  just  and  self-denying,  prayerful, 
Sly,  cautious,  cute,  sagacious,  cruel,  swearful  ; 
Mixture  incomprehensible  of  kinds. 
Their  thousand  men  and  maids  of  thousand  minds  ; — 
In  short,  the  Muse  declares,  though  well  acquainted. 
She  can't  decide  them  sinners  or  the  sainted. 

One  other  name  perhaps  should  rise  up  here. 
Nor  need  the  singer  blush  that  it  appear ; 


place  in  the  "ancient  and  honorable  device  "  of  horse-shoeing,  and  both  as  famous 
for  "beating"  iron,  as  their  K.ev'd  ancestors  were  for  beating  the  "drum  ecclesi- 
astic." 

i  Famous  for  the  manufacture  of  ox  carts — with  but  the  single  objection,  that 
they  never ^wear  out.    -  ?,, 


95 

One  in  whose  wondrous  potency  of  soul, 

A  dozen  men  might  be,  nor  fill  the  whole ; 

Power  in  each  part  of  him,  and  nought  but  power, 

Power  from  his  cradle  to  his  dying  hour  ; 

A  man  of  that  vast  business  skill,  that  it 

To  any  bold  emergency  might  fit ; 

Knew  how  to  evoke  large  gains  in  any  line. 

Now  from  a  spool  of  cotton,  now  a  mine ; 

Lands,  stocks,  rare  merchandise,  or  common  things. 

No  matter  where  he  sought  to  strike  wealth's  springs. 

He  always  hit  them  at  the  time — wealth  roll'd 

Around  him  literally  in  a  tide  of  gold. 

I  honor  no  man, — let  the  record  be 

Preserved,  and  given  to  posterity, — 

For  his  fat  ledger,  between  whose  twin  sides, 

A  million  widows'  tears  have  roll'd  like  tides ; 

Or  orphans'  groans  have  echoed,  as  they  press'd 

Like  a  hot  millstone  on  their  bleeding  breast ; — 

But  wealth,  the  proof  of  power,  our  praise  may  claim, 

And  wealth,  so  view'd,  may  give  a  man  to  fame  ; 

And  fame  was  his,  as  wealth  was  his,  who  died. 

Of  our  loved  valley,  once  its  strength  and  pride.* 

The  Muse  depicting  character  thus  here, 
Pauses  to  drop  one  solitary  tear. 
Where  is  that  sex,  amid  this  world  of  strife. 
That  makes  up  more  than  half  the  sum  of  life  ? 
One  such  I  knew,  of  loveliest  form  and  face, 
Light  on  her  brow,  and  light  in  every  place  ; 
Gifted  with  genius  like  a  torch  of  fire, 
Her  birth-right  mind,  and  every  pure  desire ; 
Borne  from  our  midst  to  love's  own  secret  bower. 
Charm  of  each  circle,  joy  of  every  hour  ; 
Her  influence  widening  as  the  years  ran  on. 
Her  soul  aspiring  nearer  to  the  sun  ; — 

*Jabez  Bacon,  the  author's  grandfather,  a  man  of  almost  fabulous  wealth,  and 
all  the  product  of  his  own  unaided  genius.  He  began  life  a  poor  boy,  and'  died 
the  richest  man  in  the  State. 


96 


When  the  dark  shadow  on  that  household  fell, 
And  every  virtue  sighed  to  say  farewell.* 

One  other  picture,  clad  in  grief 's  dark  stole, 
Comes  up  and  presses  sad  upon  the  soul ; 
And  yet  all  light  and  love  that  image  dear, 
As  ye  shall  deem  it,  as  ye  see  it  here. 
The  Scholar-jaastor  !  through  those  long  bright  years. 
Working  his  prayerful  work  'mid  joyful  tears. 
Meekness  writ  o'er  his  face,  and  love's  own  sign, 
Lit  up  ineffably  with  love  divine  ; 
High  in  each  purpose,  clear  in  every  thought, 
Rich  in  those  truths  experience  had  brought ; 
Refined,  sweet,  eloquent,  his  spirit  feeling 
Beauty  all  round  him,  every  fount  unsealing  ; 
His  soul  fiU'd  full  with  solemn  tenderne^, 
A  lip  that  could  not  wound,  but  yet  would  bless  ; 
First  to  discern  his  step  on  Calvary  led. 
Last  by  the  sick  and  by  the  dying  bed  ; 
He  moved  among  us  of  such  perfect  fame, 
That  not  one  word  did  ever  soil  his  name.f 

But  hark  again,  that  startling,  solemn  knell. 
Round  all  our  valley  with  its  pealing  swell ; — 
The  upright  judge,  the  wit,  the  mind  intent. 
With  the  large  heart  that  always  with  it  went  ; 
Not  like  too  many,  worser  than  he  seemed, 
But  always  better  than  himself  had  deemed  ; 
Passing  his  years  among  us,  soften'd,  sage. 
Almost  the  feature  of  another  age  ; — 


*  Mrs.  Mary  Smith  Monell,  daughter  of  Hon.  N.  B.  Smith,  of  this  place,  and 
wife  of  Plon.  John  J.  Monell,  of  Newburg,  who  died  Oct.  22,  1858  ; — a  lady  as 
remarkable  for  her  natural  gifts,  as  she  was  for  her  perfect  unconsciousness  of 
their  possession. 

t  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Andrew,  Pastor  of  the  South  Church  in  this  place  a  quarter 
of  a  century,  and  uniting  in  himself  all  the  imaginable  perfections  of  a  gospel 
minister. 

In  this  place  I  cannot  but  pay  a  tribute  to  his  "  twin  brother"  in  the  sacred 
work.  Rev.  Grove  L.  Browncll,  of  the  North  Church,  for  about  the  same  length 
of  time.  The  northern  brother  possessed  less  of  the  softness  and  affability  of  the 
other,  but  what  he  lacked  in  these  was  made  up  in  the  sterner,  masculine  vir- 
tues— perhaps  the  more  needful  in  his  own  field.  They  were  together,  a  rare 
combination  of  ministerial  excellence,  and  the  town  will  long  reap  the  advantages 
of  their  mutual  faithfulness. 


97 

In  one  dread  moment,  sent  to  that  far  shore, 

Where  praise,  nor  bhxme,  shall  ever  reach  him  more.* 


These  were  our  Fathers.     We  sit  down  to-day, 
To  estimate  the  worth  that  in  them  lay ; 
Let  us  be  just,  avoid  fictitious  hues. 
And  take  the  dicta  of  an  honest  Muse. 
In  that  far  day,  it  is  not  hard  to  find 
The  springs  that  move  the  common  heart  and  mind ; 
Harder  by  far  to  see  the  springs  that  play 
Beneath  the  living  maelstrom  of  to-day. 
That  day  society  was,  most  part,  free 
From  complex  causes,  which  to-day  may  be  ; 
Their  means  were  limited,  their  wants,  therefore. 
Fewer  in  number,  simpler  in  their  power. 
They  had  come  far  from  distant  lands  and  fires, 
And  bade  adieu  to  ancient  gods  and  sires, 
'Mid  scenes  unparalleled  in  history, 
And  scarcely  dwelling  even  in  fancy's  eye. 
Those  stirring  scenes  a  few  bright,  solemn  truths 
Burnt  in  on  each  man's  mind,  and  even  youth's  ; 
On  infants  even,  we  might  deem  the  fire  .    • 

Left  some  dread  impress,  as  it  scorch'd  the  sire. 
Those  truths  were  first,  indignant  sense  of  wrong. 
Borne  at  their  hands  who  for  them  should  be  strong  ; 
Conscience  t'was  dared  to  hedge  in  by  such  bounds, 
As  makes  earth's  records  shine  with  martyr's  crowns  ; 
And  then  the  natural  wants  that  all  men  have, 
That  always  help  the  good  and  true  and  brave, 
The  love  of  home,  the  love  of  child  and  wife, 
The  love  of  ease,  instinctive  hating  strife, 
The  love  to  accumulate  an  honest  gain. 
That  will  not  labor  laboring  in  vain, 
With  a  true  fear  of  what  is  in  each  man, 
As  God  unfolds  it  in  his  chosen  plan, 
And  a  safe  fear  of  Him,  that  puts  him  first, 
And  not  denies  him,  though  by  men  accurs'd ; 
And  we  might  add,  a  lusty,  sturdy  health, 
One  of  the  best  securities  for  wealth ; — 

*Hon.  Chas.  B.  Phelps,  lawyer  and  Judge  of  Probate  for  nearly  thirty  years, 
who  died  Dec.  21st,  1859,  while  sitting  in  his  chair,  and  attending  the  meeting  of 
the  Warner  Monumental  Committee,  at  Roxburv. 

13 


98 


All  this,  and  these,  received  as  facts,  and  we 

Have  the  whole  key  to  Pilgrim  history. 

This  made  men  say  in  that  far  day — farewell 

To  home,  to  country,  all  that  in  them  well ; 

Farewell  the  spot  of  kindred  and  of  birth. 

The  dearest,  sweetest,  loveliest  of  the  earth  ; 

Farewell,  old  England,  greatest  of  the  sons 

Earth  yet  has  known  of  all  her  ancient  ones  ; 

Greatest  as  civil,  greatest  moral  too. 

Greatest,  as  we  her  splendid  line  review 

Of  heroes,  sages,  poets,  all  that  move 

In  the  great  past,  and  make  it  what  we  love  ; 

And  welcome  desert  waves  and  far  oif  shore, 

Where  home's  sweet  chimes  sliall  never  echo  more ! 

Who  dares  to  slander  that  bold,  Puritan  band. 
That  first  set  foot  upon  the  western  land  ? — 
Tell  us  of  restless  spirits — so  sent  forth 
To  this,  the  farthest  end  of  hostile  earth? — 
Tell  of  an  avax'ice  that  sent  them  on, 
Or  other  passion  hateful  to  the  sun  ? 
He  shuts  his  eyes  on  facts,  that,  bold  as  light. 
Change  to  bright  burning  day  the  darkest  night ; 
Reads  history  backwards,  and  philosophy, 
As  a  dull  school-boy  in  his  first  degree ; — 
They  came  because  chey  could  not  stay  at  home. 
For  this  they  dared  December's  wintry  foam ; 
Dared  the  rude  desert,  and  the  wintry  flood, 
The  barren  rock,  and  solitary  wood — 
Places  where  want  and  all  diseases  sprung. 
And  mountain  cat  yell'd  wild  above  her  young  ! 

'Tis  said  indeed,  the  boasted  Puritan, 
Well,  after  all,  was  nothing  but  a  man ! 
Who  says  he  was  ?  or  who  pretends  to  find 
Ought  but  a  specimen  of  poor  human  kind  ? 
Shuns  persecution,  yet  will  persecute. 
Dwelling  in  God,  yet  showing  strangest  fruit ; 
Chases  the  quaker  from  old  Cambridge  Bay, 
And  burns  a  witch,  or  hangs  her,  as  some  say ; — 
(Though't's  not  so  plain,  the  quaker  persecuted. 
Was  not  most  justly  served  and  justly  suited ; 


99 

When  men  run  naked  through  the  house  of  God, 

Methinks  they  need  the  law,  or  need  a  rod  ;) 

Yet  if  one  single  soul  to  God  went  forth, 

By  fire  or  cord,  to  the  new  Heavens  and  earth — 

And  truth  declared  it  was  so, — then  first  find, 

This  the  disease  of  all  that  day  and  mind  ; 

Of  minds  of  highest  power  beyond  the  seas, 

Men  of  all  ranks  and  races  and  degrees ; 

So  if  one  single  soul  to  heaven  was  sent, 

The  age  bears  that — these  only  ignorant. 

Methinks  we  must  search  history  o'er  and  o'er. 
Search  every  land,  and  clime,  and  sea,  and  shore, 
Almost  call  up  fictitious  days  and  powers, 
Ere  we  shall  find  a  nobler  stock  than  ours. 
Stern  it  may  be,  unpolish'd,  narrow,  borne 
Onward  too  oft,  by  what  they  ought  to  scorn  ; 
Reading  truth  strangely,  and  too  often  led 
By  what  was  in  themselves,  than  what  they  read; 
Frowning  at  joy,  God's  taper  in  the  soul, 
Making  their  good,  too  oft,  in  form,  or  stole, 
Or  look,  or  gesture,  or  some  other  thing 
That  in  religion  has  no  sort  of  spring  ;— 
And  yet  for  brave  intent,  that  dared  to  view 
God  in  the  face,  and  say  "thou  know'st  me  true;" 
For  honest,  godlike  energy,  to  stand 
And  battle  for  the  truth,,  with  sword  and  brand  ; 
And,  more  than  this — to  offer  life  up — so 
Their  perfect  rectitude  the  world  might  know ; 
P^arth  offers  no  superior  of  her  kind, — 
And  hence  we  reverence  Pilgrim  soul  and  Mind! 


100 


At  the  close  of  the  Poem,  which  occupied  an  hour  and  a  half  in 
the  delivery,  th«  assemblage  united  in  singing  the  following 

SONG. 

BY    WILLIAM    COTHREN. 

Tune — "Auld  Lam/  Syne." 

Should  early  ages  be  forgot, 

As  months  and  years  decline  '. 
Should  ancient  mem'ries  Avake  us  not, 
"And  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne  I  " 
For  Auld  Lang  Syne,  my  friends. 

For  Auld  Lang  Syne  , 
We'll  give  the  hand  of  friendship  yet. 
For  Auld  Lang  Syne. 

Our  fathers  sought  this  quiet  vale, 

With  noble,  pure  design ; 
Their  humble  prayers  rose  on  the  gale. 

Each  day  of  Auld  Lang  Syne, 
"  For  Auld  Lang  Syne,"  &c. 

And  here  their  lowly  dwellings  stood, 

'Mid  chestnut,  oak,  and  pine  ; 
They  sought  to  do  their  neighbors  c/ood, 

In  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 
"  For  Auld  Lang  Syne,"  &c. 

All  honor  to  that  early  stock, 

Whose  hearts  did  them  incline 
To  praise  their  God  at  Bethel  Ilock, 

In  days  of  Auld  Lang  Sync. 
"For  Auld  Lang  Syne,"  &c. 

Right  soon  they  built  a  church  to  God, 

Beneath  the  tree  and  vine  ; 
But  they  've  been  resting  'neath  the  sod, 

Since  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 
"  For  Auld  Lang  Sync,"  &c. 

Our  fathers'  power  is  living  yet, 

In  principles  divine ; 
Their  counsels  wise  we'll  ne'er  forget. 

Nor  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne. 

"For  days  of  Auld  Lang  Syne,"  &c. 


101 

Then  followed  the  benediction,  by  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Shipman,  of 
Jewett  City,  Conn.,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Southbury : 

"  Now  may  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  and  abide  with 
us,  the  descendants  of  the  holy  men  who  settled  these  pleasant  val- 
leys, and  with  our  children,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 


SECOND    DAY, 


On  the  morning  of  the  second  day,  at  eight  o'clock,  about  one 
thousand  persons  convened  in  that  sacred  dell  in  the  thick  woods,  on 
the  east  side  of  the  Orenaug  Rocks,  about  a  mile  from  the  village, 
which  was  consecrated  by  the  prayers  and  praises  of  the  early 
fathers,  and  by  them  called  Bethel  Rock.  This  meeting  was  held 
for  the  special  purpose  of  commemorating  this  most  interesting  fact 
in  the  history  of  our  revered  ancestors,  and  the  occasion  was  one 
long  to  be  remembered  by  every  devout  heart. 

Rev.  Robert  G.  Williams,  pastor  of  the  old  Pioneer  Church, 
opened  the  meeting  by  giving  out  one  verse  of  the  hymn  com- 
mencing— 

"Be  Thou,  O  God,  exalted. high," 

which  being  sung  with  great  solemnity,  in  the  ever  welcome  air  of 
"  Old  Hundred,"  Dea.  Eli  Summers  was  called  upon  to  lead  in  prayer, 
which  he  did,  after  making  some  feeling  and  appropriate  remarks. 
Then  followed  the  reading  of  portions  of  the  28th  and  35th  chapters 
of  Genesis,  which  contain  the  account  of  Jacob's  setting  up  a  stone 
to  indicate  the  place  where  God  had  talked  with  him,  and  naming  it 
his  Bethel ;  which  passages  occasioned  the  giving  by  our  fathers  of 
the  name  of  Bethel  Rock  to  this  beautifully  wild  and  secluded  place 
of  prayer  and  communion  with  God.  Then  followed,  in  rapid  suc- 
cession, appropriate  remarks  by  Mr.  B.  H.  Andrews  of  "Waterbury, 
Rev.  Anson  S.  Atwood  of  Mansfield  Centre,  Dea.  Truman  Minor  of 
Woodbury,  and  Rev.  Philo  Judson  of  Rocky  Hill.  Mr.  Judson  be- 
came much  affected  while  giving  reminiscences  of  the  great  and  good 
men  with  whom  he  had  communed  in  prayer  in  this  sacred  retreat, 
in  former  years,  and  who  now  rest  from  their  labors  till  the  "  Great 
Day  of  Accounts."     Then  followed  the  hymn — 

"  Once  more,  my  soul,  the  rising  day,"  &c. 


102 

Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Meigs,  late  missionary  to  Ceylon,  where  he  had 
labored  for  more  than  forty  years,  now  led  in  a  beautiful  and  impress- 
ive prayer,  after  having  made  the  following  remarks  : 

REMARKS  OF  MR.  MEIGS  AT  THE  BETHEL  ROCK. 

My  Friends  !  I  feel  that  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here.  Here  is 
the  place  where  our  Puritan  fathers  assembled  to  worship  God, 
before  they  had  any  sanctuary  built  for  this  purpose,  and  while  their 
savage  foes  roamed  in  these  forests.  In  this  beautiful  ravine,  under 
these  sheltering  rocks,  by  setting  a  watch  on  yonder  point,  they  could 
worship  in  compai'ative  safety.  Hence  the  name  by  which  this  place 
is  known — "  Bethel  Rock."  Surely  the  God  of  Bethel  is  here  this 
morning.  "  This  is  none  other  but  the  house  of  God,  and  this  is  the 
gate  of  heaven."  May  we  not  suppose  that  our  pious  forefathers  are 
now  looking  down  upon  us,  while  we  are  gathered  together  in  this 
consecrated  place  of  worship  ?  With  what  delight  will  they  behold 
this  assembly,  while  we  pour  out  our  hearts  before  God  in  prayer ! 

"We  have  great  eneouragement  thus  to  draw  near  unto  him,  and  to 
pray  for  his  blessing  upon  ourselves,  upon  our  children,  and  our  chil- 
dren's children,  to  the  latest  generation.  He  is  indeed  the  hearer 
and  the  answerer  of  prayer.  What  wonderful  illustrations  of  this 
great  truth  has  he  given  to  the  people  of  this  land  within  the  last 
two  years !  How  ready  is  he  to  hear  and  answer  our  prayers ! 
"And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  before  they  call  I  will  answer,  and 
while  they  are  yet  speaking  I  will  hear."  And  again,  "  Bring  ye  all 
the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  and  prove  me  now  herewith,  saith  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of  heaven,  and 
pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be  room  enough  to 
receive  it."  God  is  waiting  to  be  gracious,  and  I  feel  that  we  ought 
not  to  depart  from  this  hallowed  ground  this  morning,  without  a 
special  blessing.  Let  us  carry  this  blessing  with  us,  to  our  homes. 
Let  us  consecrate  ourselves  anew  to  the  service  of  God.  Let  us  all 
henceforth  live  unto  Him,  and  not  to  ourselves  Then,  though  we 
part  to  meet  no  more  on  earth,  we  shall  all  meet  in  yonder  world  of 
glory,  and  sing  his  praises  forever  ! 

A  few  appropriate  remarks  by  Dea.  Judson  Blackman  were  fol- 
lowed by  a  prayer  from  Rev.  Anson  8.  Atwood,  and  the  singing  of  a 
verse  from  the  ninetieth  Psalm.  The  regular  exercises  being  now 
closed,  a  few  moments  were  spent  in  hearing  volunteer  remarks, 
"when  the  audience  united  in  singing  the  verse,  commencing — 

"  Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing." 


103 

Then  followed  the  brief  concluding  prayer,  by  Rev.  Philo  Judson, 
and  the  benediction  by  Rev.  Austin  Isham,  of  Roxbury,  and  this 
solemn  and  interesting  occasion  was  numbei-ed  with  the  events  of  the 
past,  an  event  never  to  occur  again  during  the  life  of  any  soul  pres- 
ent at  the  revered  spot.  Many  lingered,  as  if  unwilling  to  separate, 
and  many  more  procured  and  carried  away  portions  of  the  rock  and 
moss,  to  be  treasured  as  sacred  mementoes  of  a  hallowed  spot,  and  a 
sacred  scene. 

At  ten  o'clock,  a  procession  was  formed  in  the  same  order  as  the 
first  day,  with  the  exception  of  the  "  antique  "  portion  of  it,  which 
was  omitted,  and  marched  to  the  Tent,  escorted  by  the  Band  and 
Warner  Light  Guards. 

The  services  were  opened  by  music  from  the  Band,  followed  by 
the  reading  of  the  following 

CENTENNIAL  HYMN. 

BY    REV.  WILLIAM   THOMPSON   BAC(Jp. 

Supposed  to  he  sung  on  the  spot  luhere  the  Pilgrim  Settlers  held  their  first  Sabbath 

Worship. 

Here,  then,  beneath  the  greenwood  shade, 

The  Pilgrim  first  his  altar  made ; 

'T  was  here,  amid  the  mingled  throng, 

First  breathed  the  prayer,  and  woke  the  song. 

The  sun,  which  lends  his  gladness  now, 
Lay  bright  upon  the  Pilgrim's  brow  ; 
And  this  same  wind,  here  breathing  free, 
Curled  round  his  honored  head  in  glee. 

How  peaceful  smiled  that  Sabbath  sun. 
How  holy  was  that  day  begun. 
When  here,  amid  the  dark  woods  dim. 
Went  up  the  Pilgrims'  first  low  hymn  ! 

Hushed  was  the  stormy  forests'  roar, 
The  forest  eagle  screamed  no  more  ; 
And  far  along  each  blue  stream's  side. 
The  small  wave  murmur'd,  where  it  died . 

Look  now  upon  the  same  still  scene. 
The  wave  is  blue,  the  turf  is  green  ; 
But  where  are  now  the  wood  and  wild, 
The  Pilgrim,  and  the  forest  child  ? 


104 

The  wood  and  wild  have  passed  awaj' ; 
Pilgrim  and  forest  child  are  clay ; 
But  here,  upon  their  graves,  we  stand, 
The  children  of  that  Christian  band. 

O,  while  upon  this  spot  we  stand, 
The  children  of  that  Christian  band. 
Be  ours  the  thoughts  we  owe  this  day, 
To  our  great  fathers  passed  away ! 

By  prayer  and  contemplation  led, 
Be  ours  by  their  brave  spirits  fed  ; 
Be  ours  their  efforts  and  their  aim, 
Their  truth,  their  glory,  and  their  name  ! 

An  exceedingly  eloquent,  fervid,  and  appropriate  prayer  was  then 
offered  by  Rev.  Friend  W.  Smith,  Pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church 
in  Woodbury,  a  copy  of  which,  we  were  unable  to  obtain,  but  the 
following  is  a  brief  synopsis  of  its  leading  topics : 

Acknowledgment  of  the  power  and  goodness  of  God,  in  the  crea- 
tion and  preservation  of  all  things.  His  rightful  sovereignty.  Our 
dependence  on,  and  duty  of  allegiance  to  him.  Confession  and  depre- 
cation of  sin.  Recognition  of,  and  thanksgiving  for  the  goodness  of 
God,  in  his  providential  and  gracious  dealings  with  mankind,  espe- 
cially in  redemption  by  Christ ;  of  his  goodness  especially  to  us,  as  a 
people  ;  manifested  in  his  care  and  protection  of  the  Pilgrims,  in 
their  passage  over  the  ocean,  and  in  their  early  settlements.  His 
interposition  in  our  Revolutionary  struggle ;  the  appointment  of 
Washington,  a  man  of  prayer,  as  leader  of  our  armies ;  and  in  lead- 
ing a  mere  handful  of  undisciplined  men  to  final  victory.  His  guid- 
ance of,  and  providential  kindness  to  the  explorers  and  early  settlers 
of  Ancient  Woodbury.  An  earnest  prayer  for  the  continuance  of 
his  grace  and  protection  to  our  nation  generally,  and  to  this  commu- 
nity and  their  posterity  particularly  ;  that  he  would  graciously  take 
away  all  bitterness  and  remove  all  animosities  from  among  us  ;  that 
while  we  honor  men,  as  the  instruments  of  our  success,  we  may  never 
forget  Him  by  whose  providential  care  they  are  guided ;  and  that 
we  may  all  be  enabled  so  to  discharge  our  duties,  that  when  this 
assembly  shall  all  meet  at  the  judgment,  we  may  stand  acquitted 
through  him  who  taught  us  to  pray — Our  Father,  who  art  in  Heaven, 
hallowed  be  thy  name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done,  on 
earth,  as  it  is  in  Heaven.  Give  us,  this  day,  our  daily  bread ;  and 
forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them  that  trespass  against  us. 
Lead  us  not  into  temptation ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil ;  for  thine  is 
the  kingdom,  the  power,  and  the  glory,  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


105 

The  choir  then  sung  the  following 

HYMN. 
Tune — "  Old  Hundred." 

Before  Jehovah's  awful  tlirone, 

Ye  nations,  bow  witli  sacred  joy  ; 
Know  that  the  Lord  is  God  alone  ; 

He  can  create,  and  he  destroy. 

His  sovereign  power,  without  our  aid, 

Made  us  of  clay,  and  formed  us  men  ; 
And  when,  like  wandering  sheep,  wc  strayed, 

He  brought  us  to  liis  fold  again. 

Wo  are  his  people,  we  his  care. 

Our  souls,  and  all  our  mortal  frame  ; 
What  lasting  honors  shall  we  rear, 

Almighty  Maker,  to  thy  name  1 

We'  11  crowd  thy  gates  with  thankful  songs  ; 

High  as  the  heaven  our  voices  raise  • 
And  cartii,  with  her  ten  thousand  tongues, 

Shall  fill  tliy  courts  with  sounding  praise. 

Wide  as  the  world  is  thy  command ; 

Vast  as  eternity  thy  love ; 
Firm  as  a  rock  thy  truth  shall  stand, 

When  rolling  years  siiall  cease  to  move. 

Then  followed  a   Sermon,  by  Rev.  Henry    Beers    Sherman,  of 
Belleville,  New  Jersey,  a  native  of  Woodbury : 


14 


THESE       THREE 


A    SERMON 


Preached    at    Woodbury,    Conn., 


ON  OCCASION  OP  ITS 


BI-CENTENNIAL    CELEBRATION, 


JULY    5,    1859. 


BT  THE 


REV.  HENRY   BEERS  SHERMAN,  M.  A. 

RECTOR  OF  CHRIST  CHURCH,  BELLEVILLE,  N.  J. 


TO 


THE    MEMORY    OP 


THE  REVEREND  ZECHARIAH  WALKER, 


THE    FIRST    MINISTER    OF 


ANCIENT      WOODBURY; 


^TtiCs  Sermon, 


PREACHED    ON    OCCASION    OF   THE    BI-CENTENNIA-L    OELEBEATION" 


OF    THE   TOWN, 


By    HIS   DESCENDANT   IN   THE    SEVENTH   GENERATION, 


IS   REVERENTLY   INSCRIBED. 


Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  give  unto  us  tlie  increase  of 
faith,  hope  and  charity ;  and  that  we  may  obtain  that  which  thou 
dost  promise,  make  us  to  love  that  w^iich  thou  dost  command  > 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

O  Lord,  who  hast  taught  us  that  all  our  doings  without  charity 
are  nothing  worth  ;  send  thy  Holy  Ghost,  and  pour  into  our 
hearts  that  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  the  very  bond  of  peace 
and  of  all  virtues,  without  which  whosoever  liveth  is  counted 
dead  before  thee.  Grant  this  for  thine  only  son  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.    Amen. 


SEniMON 


"  Now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  these  three  ;  bvit  the  greatest  of  these  is 
charity." — 1  Cor.  xiii:  13. 

Now — that  is,  in  our  present  stat''  as  a  probation — in  this 
world  and  upon  the  life  we  are  living  in  it,  these  three  abide  as 
the  constituent  elements  of  its  substantial  portion.  In  the  work 
of  our  salvation,  as  the  central  business  which  employs  and  occu 
pies  us  here,  each,  as  an  attribute  of  our  forming  character,  holds 
its  assigned  position  in  a  fixed  relation 

Now — in  this  present  state  of  our  existence  as  preparatory  for 
the  future,  (and  in  regard  of  the  first  two,  as  will  be  shown,  now 
strictly  and  exclusively^)  "abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  these 
three" — each  and  all  of  them — ^jointly  and  severally,  together 
and  distinctly. 

1.  Faith — in  which  tlie  Holy  Ghost,  the  Lord  and  Giver  of 
Life,  moves  upon  the  abyss  of  our  fallen  nature,  and  begets  us 
again  unto  a  lively  hope  in  Jesus  Christ ;  and  through  which,  in 
its  operation  by  love  under  that  ministration  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
which  the  mediation  of  the  Son  procures  to  bring  us  to  the 
Father,  we  are  justified  and  regenerated,  renewed  and  sanctified 

2.  Hope — by  which  we  are  incited  to  rise  above  the  adversities 
and  trials  of  this  present  world,  and  to  look  beyond  it  for  the 
soul's  true  home.     And 

3.  Charity — by  which  faith  and  hope  are  inclined  to  a  heav- 
enly direction,  and  all  the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Divine  life 
shaped  and  consolidated  and  made  holy  in  the  sight  of  God. 

4.  The  greatest  of  these  is  charity — because,   in  distinc 
tion  from  the  other  two,  it  is  an  attribute  of  God,  and  constitutes 
in  man  assimilation   to  his   Maker — the  renewal  of  that  divine 
imasre  and  likeness  in  which  he  was  created. 


It  is  foreign  to  our  present  purpose,  under  the  straitened  con- 
ditions of  our  space  precluding  it,  to  enter  at  large  into  the  defi- 
nition and  description  of  faith.  The  term  is  variously  employed 
in  Scripture,  and  is  expressive  of  a  great  variety  of  meanings. 
It  must  suffice,  in  the  present  connection,  that  we  follow  the  dis- 
tinctive lines  of  the  pa.^.sage  under  review,  and  confine  our  survey- 
to  the  specific  indications  which  it  furnishes. 

1.  Now  Abideth  Faith. 

As  employed  by  the  Apostle  in  our  text,  and  in  the  chapter 
which  includes  it,  faith  is  the  causative  or  actuating  principle 
by  which  all  our  hopes  and  desires,  all  our  purposes  and  endeav- 
ors, and  even  our  belief,  are  made  effectual.  We  say  beliefs  be- 
cause there  is  a  distinction  with  a  difference,  between  intellectual 
assent  to  the  system  of  Divine  Truth,  and  that  justifying  faith,, 
which,  laying  hold  upon  the  hope  set  before  us  in  the  Deliverer, 
and  resting  in  the  promises  of  God,  brings  the  whole  man  under 
a  divine  dominion  and  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ;, 
and  which,  in  its  working  by  love,  demonstrates  the  great  prob- 
lem of  our  souls'  salvation.  As  it  "  now  abideth,"  faith  is  the 
provisional  agency  or  means  through  which  the  restoration  of 
fallen  man  to  the  favor  of  God  is  potentially  effected.  Though 
it  is  the  condition  of  our  justification — and  the  indis2)e?isable 
condition,  in  that  it  allies  us  to  the  Lord  that  bought  us — still  it 
is  a  part  and  not  the  whole  of  "our  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus."  It  is  a  means  to  the  production  of  Christ  in  us,  "  the 
end  of  the  law  for  righteousness." 

It  serves  the  important  purpose  of  introducing  us  within  the 
circle  of  divine  grace ;  leads  us  to  an  apprehension  of  the  hope 
of  eternal  life  set  before  us  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  brings  us  within 
reach  of  the  promised  salvation  which  grace  provides,  and  nerves 
the  soul  to  lay  hold  upor.  and  appropriate  it.  Both  in  its  nature 
and  in  its  function,  faith  is  inferior  and  subordinate  to  charity. 
As  an  instrumentality  it  brings  us  to  the  law  of  our  filial  duty, 
while  charity  embraces  it — for  "  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law." 
The  simple  exercise  of  faith  brings  us  to  Christ :  The  operation 
of  LOVE  makes  us  like  Christ,   conforming  us  unto  His  image  in 


righteousness   and  true   holiness.      Thus    rcith   charity  abideth 
FAITH :  but  greater  than  ftiith  is  charity. 

Let  us  not  be  understood  in  this  connection,  as  seeking  or  de- 
siring in  anywise  to  lower  the  due  estimate  of  faith  :  we  are 
far  enough  from  that.  We  acknowledge  and  accredit  it,  as  the 
initial  doctrine  in  the  scheme  of  divine  grace — the  condition  upon 
which  our  justification  before  God  depends  and  hinges.  "With- 
out faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  Him."  It  is  only  through 
faith  in  the  atonement  effected  by  Christ,  that  we  can  look  for 
any  lasting  benefit  to  accrue  to  us  from  His  mediation. 

We  are,  indeed,  (as  the  Apostle  says,  and  repeats,)  "  saved  by 
graced  But  that  "  grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation"  can 
only  reach  us  "  through  faith  "  It  is  the  appointed  medium — 
the  way  and  means  through  which  we  fall  in  with  the  gracious 
plan  of  God  concerning  us,  and  M'^ork  out  our  own  salvation. 

"  Now  abideth  faith" — noin^  as  the  prime  essential  of  our  Chris- 
tian state.  Without  it,  human  hope  is  but  a  wayward  and  de- 
lusive fancy ;  and  human  righteousness,  even  the  highest  grade 
of  it,  is  but  an  empty  show — a  form  Avithout  the  substance — a 
body  without  the  soul.  Therefore,  (that  is,  growing  out  of  the 
necessity  of  the  case,)  "  now  abideth  faith  :"  and  every  thought 
and  action  of  our  life — every  purpose,  and  endeavor  which  enters 
into  the  account  of  what  we  are,  must  proceed  and  spring  from 
faith,  or  they  pass  into  the  portion  of"  dead  works."  It  is  Only 
as  the  quickening  principle  of  faith  pervades  and  hallows  what 
we  do,  that  our  service  becomes  acceptable  in  the  Divine  sight, 
and  thus  Avins  for  us  the  DiA'ine  favor.  "  Without  fiith  it  is  im- 
possible to  please  God." 

But,  (for  "  the  end  of  the  commandment  is  chauity,")  if  we 
propose  faith  to  ourselves^  as  an  end  which  we  are  to  attain  and 
stop  at,  Ave  grossly  mistake  b(jth  its  nature  and  its  office.  It  is 
but  the  means  through  Avhich  our  salvation  by  grace  is  to  be 
Avrought  out.  And  Ave  should  always  consider  it  only  as  a  means 
— the  end  Avhich  it  subserves  being  eternal  life,  in  Avhich  faith 
will  have  no  part  nor  lot.  Although,  as  our  text  affirms  of  it, 
"faith  abideth  now^'"  conjoined  A\dth  charity  and  operating  by 
it  what  is  holy  and  acceptable,  yet,  as  all   that  is  heavenly  in  its 


nature  is  compreliended  and  included  in  that  "greatest  of  these,'* 
which  under  the  term  "  love"  is  defined  by  St.  Paul  as  "  the 
fulfilling  of  tlie  law,"  the  truth  of  the  aftirmation  in  our  text  is 
made  apparent :  and  while  now  abideth  faith  with  charity,  great- 
er than  faith  is  charity. 

Let  us  jjass  to  consider  the  second  feature  in  the  Apostle's  state- 
ment. 

2.   "  Now  Abideth  Hope." 

What  we  have  shown  in  demonstration  of  faith  as  inferior  to 
CHARITY,  is  applicable  alike  to  hope.  It  "  abideth  now,"  as  part 
of  that  law  which  as  a  school-master  brings  us  to  Christ.  It  is 
the  great  incentive  to  exertion  in  the  work  of  our  salvation.  It 
is  an  important  element  in  the  entire  texture  of  our  present  char- 
acter ;  aud  is  interwoven  as  a  golden  thread  with  the  whole  es- 
sence of  our  moral  being.  It  enters  into  the  very  substance  of 
our  fearfully  mysterious  life  ;  and  operates  upon  the  whole  sur- 
face of  that  twofold  relationship  in  which  we  stand,  as  connected 
with  this  world,  and  looking  on  to  connection  with  another.  It 
makes  us  what  we  are,  and  unfolds  to  us  what  we  shall  b«. 
Whether  in  things  earthly  and  temporal,  or  in  things  heavenly 
and  eternal,  hope  is  the  quickening  principle  which  nerves  to  en- 
ergy the  heart  of  man,  and  leads  him  forward  amidst  fear  and 
doubt  to  tread  with  a  firm  step  the  ascending  path  of  life. 

"  Now  abideth  hope."  It  is  the  soul's  youthful  impulse,  by 
which  we  are  cheered  and  comforted  in  the  vicissitudes  and  ad- 
versities of  our  present  lot ;  and  through  which,  as  seeking  a 
more  enduring  substance  than  it  yields,  we  receive  accessions  of 
courage  and  of  strength,  enabling  us  to  grasp  the  realities  of  an 
immortal  portion,  and  to  "  press  forward  toward  the  mark  tor 
the  prize  of  our  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus." 

"  Note  abideth  hope?''  It  is  the  light  of  human  life,  which  else 
were  cheerless  to  us.  It  fulfils  a  blessed  ministry  upon  the 
present,  whilst  accomplishing  its  higher  mission  for  the  future. 
It  comes  to  us  like  an  envoy  from  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  with 
healing  in  its  wings  and  messages  of  joy  upon  its  half-opened 
lips.  In  the  exercise  of  its  ministry  as  shaped  to  the  circum- 
stances of  the  fallen,  and  adapted  to  the   conditions  of  a  world 


sitting  in  darkness  and  under  the  shadow  of  death,  it  tracks  its 
path  with  light,  and  scatters  blessings  all  along  its  course. 
Beautiful  are  its  feet  upon  the  mountains,  bringing  glad  tidings 
of  good.  The  lanes  and  valleys  of  life  rejoice  in  its  visitation, 
and  the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  are  glad  for  it.  It 
comes  to  us  in  our  days  of  darkness,  wdiich  are  many,  and  cheers 
us  with  the  indications  of  a  bright  to-morrow.  It  finds  the  sky 
of  life  with  clouds  upon  it,  and  tinges  them  with  radiant  hues ; 
and  even  Avhen  the  storm  is  dark,  bursts  through  its  gloom,  and 
spans  the  tirmament  with  its  bow  of  promise.  It  finds  us  sink- 
ing, and  arrests  us  ere  we  fall.  It  finds  us  cast  down,  and 
stretches  out  its  hand  to  raise  us.  Never,  but  at  our  bidding 
word,  does  it  leave  us  or  forsake  us.  It  keeps  back  the  invading 
pressure  of  terrible  Despair ;  and  when  the  scenery  of  life  which 
surrounds  our  present  experience  is  barren  of  all  comfort,  and 
the  heart  grows  sick,  it  beckons  us  away  to  the  green  pastures 
where  the  still  waters  which  reflect  them  are  radiant  with  the 
smiles  of  God.  With  unfaltering  accents  it  tells  us  ever  of  a 
better  portion ;  and  even  when  the  earthly  dependence  fails  us 
in  our  time  of  need,  opens  new  sources  of  enjoyment  with  its 
revealing  power — still  tells  us  that  the  world  has  pleasant  places, 
and  that  "  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here."  It  transfigures  the 
chequered  aspects  of  our  life,  and  makes  them  one  with  its  own 
radiant  self.  Like  the  Only-begotten  who  begat  it,  it  seeks  the 
welfare  of  mankind,  and  goes  about  doing  good.  It  comes  to  us 
when  the  heart  is  sick  and  ready  to  faint,  and  enlivens  us  with 
friendly  words.  It  invests  the  spirit  of  heaviness  with  the  garments 
of  praise.  It  lifts  up  the  hands  that  hang  down  and  the  feeble 
knees  ;  and  when  joy  comes  not  with  the  morning  but  heaviness 
still  endures,  it  "  giveth  songs  in  the  night."  It  transforms  itself 
into  Expectation,  and  inspires  us  with  fresh  trust  to  quietly  wait. 
It  invades  the  domain  of  disappointment  and  the  chill  recesses 
of  deep  grief,  and  peoples  them  with  glad  sounds  and  happy 
sights  It  makes  the  parched  ground  to  become  a  pool,  and  the 
thirsty  land  springs  of  water.  The  crooked  ways  of  life  are 
made  straight  before  it,  and  its  rough  ways  smooth.  It  "  goeth 
forth  to  its  work"  with  man,  and  its  voice  is  to  the  sons  of  men. 


10 

It  solaces  and  consoles  us,  when  it  cannot  incite  and  cheer.  Re- 
membering our  frame,  it  adapts  tlie  exercises  of  its  mission  to 
what  we  are,  and  whispers  "  a  word  in  season  to  him  that  is 
weary."  It  speaks  with  soothing  tones  to  the  ill-fortuned  and 
forsaken  brother,  shipwrecked  and  broken  hearted  in  his  voyage 
of  life,  and  encourages  him  amid  "  the  waves  of  this  troublesome 
world,"  to  tempt  the  adventurous  way  once  more.  It  renews 
the  face  of  things,  and  transmutes  to  a  seemhig  j^reciousness  the 
crude  rough  elements  it  touches.  Oh,  it  has  a  charmer's  power. 
There  is  a  wilderness  before  it,  and  a  garden  of  Eden  behind  : 
before  it  is  despair,  lamentation,  and  woe :  behind  is  the  renewal 
of  joy,  thanksgiving,  and  the  voice  of  melody.  Now  abideth 
HOPE.  Well  for  our  present  happiness  it  should :  well  for  our 
immortal  yearnings  that  it  doth.  It  is  the  light  that  halloweth 
with  blessedness  our  present  lot ;  and  when  abiding  in  compan 
ionship  with  faith,  it  guides  us  to  that  higher  haj^piness  we  long 
for,  but  which  we  find  not  here.  Now  abideth  faith  and 
HOPE.  They  walk  together,  and  j)roceed  upon  their  path  hand 
in  hand.  Hope  leans  on  faith,  and  foith  on  hope — each  imparting 
to  the  other,  as  they  advance,  increase  of  energy — giving  and 
taking  strength  reciprocal,  and  enabling  us  under  their  united 
ministry  to  maintain  our  lot  in  time,  and  to  work  out  for  eterni- 
ty our  souls'  salvation.     Now  abideth  faith  with  hope 

But,  although  they  enter  thus  into  the  present  composition  of 
human  character,  moulding  and  shaping  it  in  its  various  conlorm- 
atious,  their  existent  relationship  is  restrictive  and  peculiar  and 
limited  to  the  present.  For  it  is  only  now — in  this  state  as  a 
probation,  that  these  two,  "  faith  and  hope  abide."  Their  nature 
and  their  office  are  temporary  and  transient.  They  are  as  com- 
missioned servants;  and  "the  servant  abideth  not  in  the  house 
forever."  Both  have  their  limits,  and  to  each  is  its  allotted  pe- 
riod. As  FAITH  will  have  at  length  fulfilled  its  mission  and  be- 
come merged  in  knowledge,  so  hope  will  becomn  absorbed  in 
fruition,  and  lose  itself  in  the  blessedness  of  experience — even  as 
the  Apostle  says  :  "  Hope  that  is  seen  is  not  hope :  for  what  a 
man  seeth,  no  longer  doth  he  hope  for."  Both,  as  we  have  inti- 
mated, are  only  temporary,  as  means  to  an  end ;  and  when  they 
shall  have  served  their  purpose,  each  will  cease.      In  the  termi- 


11 

nation  of  His  mediatorial  work,  "  the  Aitthok  of  our  faitli"  will 
be  its  "  Finisher,"  and  the  Inspirer  of  our  hope  that  ^'  fulness 
of  joy,"  toward  which  it  verged  and  tended.  Now  they  abide, 
but  only  in  this  life. 

Strictly  speaking,  there  will  be  neither  faith  nor  hope  in  that 
spiritual  condition,  which,  as  the  eternal  portion  of  the  saved 
and  sealed  in  Christ,  is  prepared  for  them  in  heaven.  As  the 
twilight  melts  and  loses  itself  in  the  absorbing  and  exceeding 
glory  of  the  day  on  which  it  neighbors  and  which  it  serves  to 
introduce,  so  faith  and  hope  will  be  finally  absorbed  in  the  efful- 
gence of  Divine  love,  and  lose  their  finite  identity  in  the  infini- 
tude of  "  His  fullness  who  filleth  all  in  all."  "  When  that  which 
is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which  is  in  part  shall  be  done  away." 

Thus  much  as  to  what  is  transient  and  inferior  in  the  Apostle's 
statement.  Let  us  pass  now  to  consider  what  is  permane^it  and 
pre-eminent  in  his  declaration. 

3.   "Now  Abideth  Charity." 

Charity,  which  abideth  in  this  world  with  faith  and  hope, 
enabling  them  to  fulfil  their  appointad  work,  ceases  not  with  the 
termination  of  their  office  ;  but  reaching  onward  into  the  world 
to  come,  abideth  there  forever.  It  is  "  the  greatest  of  these 
three,"  both  in  its  office  and  in  its  nature. 

Its  asserted  superiority  is  apparent,  in  the  first  pla(!e,  from  the 
tact  of  its  duration:  for  "charity  never  faileth."  While  liiith 
and  hope  abide  now  and  only  now,  charity  abideth  both  now 
and  forever.  It  has  a  twofold  relation.  It  is  allied  to  our  pres- 
ent state,  and  connected  with  the  permanency  of  the  heavenly 
world.     "  The  greatest  of  these  is  charity." 

Its  asserted  pre  eminence  over  foith  and  hope  is  apparent,  in 
the  second  place,  from  the  fact  that  in  its  nature  it  embraces  and 
includes  all  that  is  of  spiritual  essence  in  both. 

In  a  preceding  verse  the  Apostle  affirms,  "  Charity  believeth  all 
things."  There  is  faith.  He  adds,  "  Ciiarity  hopeth  all 
things."  There  is  hope.  The  exercise  of  each,  you  perceive,  is 
assigned  to  charity,  as  included  among  its  attributes — the  attri- 
butes of  its  present  character — or,  more  strictly  speaking,  the  pre- 
liminary accompaniments  of  its  indwelling  presence. 


12 

Let  us  examine  now  with  a  little  more  of  definiteness,  the 
nature  of  this  lasting  and  pre-eminent  grace,  as  distinctively  "the 
greatest  of  these  three."  Wherein  does  its  superior  magnitude 
consist?  and  what  is  the  substantial  basis  of  its  distinction  ? 

4.  "The  greatest  of  these  is  Charity" 
Charity  (as  every  intelligent  reader  of  the  New  Testament 
must  understand)  is  but  another  name  for  lovr.  It  is  according- 
ly one  of  the  attributes  of  Deity — nay,  we  might  rather  say,  tlf>. 
engrossing  attribute:  "I'or  God  is  love;  and  every  one  that  lov- 
eth  is  born  ol  God  and  knoweth  God."  In  the  abiding  of  char- 
ity, therefore,  "the  tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men  ;"  and  the  in- 
dwelling of  love  is  the  in-dAvelling  of  God.  "  Herein^  know  we 
that  we  dwell  in  Him,  and  He  in  us." 

It  is  LOVE  whick  recreates  us  in  the  heavenly  image,  transforms 
us  into  the  Divine  likeness,  and  moulds  us  into  meetness  for  an 
inheritance  among  the  holy.  It  is  the  beginner  and  sustainer  of 
spiritual  vitality  in  man.  It  is,  to  our  heavenly  citizenship,  that 
surrounding  atmosphere,  which  the  soul,  by  the  affixed  conditions 
of  its  renewed  life,  breathes  ever  when  it  lives  to  God.  It  is 
placed  by  the  Apostle  in  a  position  of  leadership  when  enumera- 
:^ing  " the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,"  because  it  is  "the  greatest."  It 
controls  the  motion  of  the  rest,  and  holds  them  in  subjection  to 
its  imperial  sway.  It  is  "  the  very  bond  of  peace  and  of  all  vir- 
tues." Without  infringement  of  their  identity,  but  as  the  great- 
er includes  the  less,  it  embraces  and  comprehends  both  faith  and 
hope.  For  "  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  these  three,"  dis- 
tinctly and  together,  severally  and  jointly. 

We  must  ■'  believe  all  things ;"  and  we  must  "  hope  all  things ;" 
and  in  the  strength  of  that  indwelling  presence  of  love  whereby 
they  work,  we  must  do  all  things  which  the  Gosj)el  tnjoins  as 
well  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  God.  AVe  must  "  walk  by  faith  ;"  be. 
cause  faith  is  led  on  by  love,  and  is  "the  substance  of  things  hoped 
for,"  We  must  lean  unto  hope  ;  because  "  hope  is  the  anchor  of 
the  soul,"  upon  Avhich  faith  depends ;  and  we  must  yield  our- 
selves  to  charity,  because  "  love  is  of  God,  and  every  one  that 
loveth  is  born  of  God  and  knoweth  God."  In  the  broad,  full 
sense  in  which  it  is  defined  and  described  in  the  chapter  to  which 
our  text  belongs,  we  must  accord  to  "  that  most  excellent  grace" 


13 

the  dominion  which  it  claims,  and  obey  the  motions  of  its  will : 
for  "  the  end  of  the  commandment  is  charity."  We  must  open 
our  hearts  to  its  gracious  influence,  that  it  may  enter  and  abide 
in  us.  Thus  every  Christian  principle  will  be  ripened  into  mature 
development  and  harmonious  action  ;  all  "  the  fruits  of  the  Spir- 
it," every  heavenly  grace  and  virtue,  and  whatever  is  requisite 
to  that  crowning  result  which  draws  to  itself  our  desires  and  en- 
deavors, "  that  the  man  of  God  may  he  perfect,  thoroughly  fur- 
nished unto  all  good  worhs^''  will  be  cultivated  and  live  and  grow 
in  us,  subduing  unto  itself  the  indigenous  produce  of  our  de- 
praved nature,  and  covering  the  sxirfaces  of  our  life  with  what  is 
true  and  honest,  what  is  just  and  pure,  what  is  lovely  and  of  good 
report. 

"  Now  abidetli  charity" — now,  emphatically.  Its  home  is  in 
the  heavenly  places,  in  the  "  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 
in  the  heavens :"  but  for  the  accomplishment  of  its  mission  upon 
earth,  it  dwells  amongst  us,  and  its  tabernacle  is  with  men. 

Now  ABiDETH  CHARITY.  Let  US  uot  losc  sight  of  this  central 
aspect  of  our  subject.  Let  us  remember  that  Love,  which  is  the 
element  of  our  enjoyment  in  the  future  world,  hath  its  commence- 
ment first,  and  to  a  measurable  extent,  growth  and  progression 
here.  It  enters  into  the  texture  of  what  we  are,  as  the  index  to 
what  we  shall  be.  Through  the  agency  of  faith  that  worketh  by 
it,  having  made  us  the  children  of  God,  it  ministers  to  our  growth 
in  grace  and  our  procession  from  strength  to  strength,  renewing 
us  in  His  image  from  glory  to  glory,  and  advancing  us  toward 
that  perfection  of  Divine  manhood,  "  the  measure  of  the  stature 
of  the  fulness  of  Christ." 

It  is  the  sign  and  mark  in  man  of  Divine  life ;  and  holds  a  po- 
sition of  pre-eminence,  as  the  central  attribute  of  our  present 
Christian  character,  around  which,  as  stars  around  the  source  of 
light,  all  other  gifts  and  graces  of  the  spiritual  life  revolve.  Dark 
in  themselves,  like  those  lesser  lights  which  deck  the  material 
firmament,  they  shine  in  their  several  orbits  and  make  life  beauti- 
ful, only  as  Love  shines  upon  them,  and  as  they  move  in  mutual 
harmony  obedient  to  its  supreme  control.  In  divorcement  from 
their  subordination  to  the  greater  light,  and  beyond  the  radiant 


14 

circle  of  its  attraction,  they  are  shorn  of  their  reflected  glory  and 
pass  back  into  the  portion  of  darkness. 

Even  FAITH,  leaning  unto  itself,  degenerates  to  superstition, 
bows  to  a  base  servitude,  and  becomes  the  minister  of  sin,  "work- 
ing all  uncleanness  with  greediness."  It  only  operates  with  an 
upward  tendency,  and  "  adorns  the  doctrine  of  God,"  when  it 
goes  forth  to  its  work  with  chanty  and  becomes  "  laith  that 
worketh  by  love." 

Nay,  even  HOPE,  in  its  independent  action,  dissevered  from 
FAITH  and  unconstrained  by  love — like  that  Son  of  the  morning, 
who  spurned  the  conditions  of  his  dependent  being,  and  ven- 
tured upon  the  ambitious  desire  "  to  have  life  in  himself,"  and 
who,  from  his  high  place  among  the  children  of  light,  was 
"  brought  down  to  the  sides  of  the  pit,"  and  quenched  his  bright- 
ness in  "  the  blackness  of  darkness  forever" — even  hope,  left  to 
itself,  reverses  the  motion  of  its  aspiration  to  a  grovelling  prefer- 
ence, and  goes  on  to  recklessness  under  the  impulse  of  its  own 
desires.  It  only  fulfils  its  oflice  as  the  light  of  life  and  brightener 
of  our  being,  when  it  clings  to  faith  and  abideth  in  a  living  connec- 
tion with  charity.  It  loses  the  peerless  glory  which  invests  it,  when 
it  wanders  from  its  dependent  sphere,  and  "  the  light  that  is  in  it 
becomes  darkness"  and  a  bewildering  shadow,  "  deceiving  and 
being  deceived."  It  is  "the  anchor  of  the  soul,"  sure  and  stedfast 
when  it  clings  to  the  Rock  of  Ages,  and  imbeds  itself  in  those  prom- 
ises of  God  which  are  tea  and  amen  in  Christ.  But,  loosing 
itself  from  the  constraint  of  love,  and  relaxing  its  hold  upon  the 
one  Object  of  faith,  it  mocks  the  anxious  eye  of  the  voyager, 
and  "  the  earnest  expectation  of  the  creature,"  which  it  draws 
to  itself  in  the  manifestation  of  a  great  deliverance,  and  sinks  as 
lead  in  the  mighty  waters. 

"Now,"  therefore,  as  of  moral  necessity,  it  must — now,  as  of 
8piritu!>l  necessity,  it  does — "abideth  charity."  Without  it,  all 
■other  gifts  and  graces  are  vain  and  nothing  worth,  and  stand  in 
the  religious  account  only  as  dross  and  tin. 

This  is  a  most  important  consideration  ;  and  there  grows  out  of 
it  a  wholesome  lesson  for  the  present  time  to  learn. 

What  we  need  for  a  harmonious  religious  development,  is  less 


15 

talk  and  more  action — less  ritualism  and  more  earnestness — less- 
"  church  "  and  more  Gospel — less  theology  and  more  love.  The 
prevalent  faith  of  the  age,  unsettled,  wavering,  desultory  and 
distracted,  is  as  it  is,  because  its  reigning  spirit  has  ejected 
charity.  And  the  only  adequate  remedy  for  the  existing  religious 
ailment — the  only  remedy,  which,  penetrating  beyond  the  super- 
ficial symptoms  of  its  aspect,  can  reach  to  tlie. inner  source  of  the 
disease,  and  restore  blooming  health  and  warm-gushing  life  to  the 
disordered  system,  is  an  infusion  of  that  heavenly  element  of 
CHARITY  which  it  so  sadly  lacks.  The  life  of  God  in  the  soul  ot 
man  depends,  both  for  its  energies  and  for  its  being,  upon  this 
supply.  It  can  never  thrive  upon  the  dry  husks  of  abstract  ortho" 
doxy  and  theological  refinement  and  religious  emotion  and  eccle- 
siastical conceit,  which  have  been  for  long  its  allotted  rations :  It 
must  have  its  meat  in  due  season  out  of  the  fulness  of  God.  And 
that  fulness  is  charity  :  For  "  God  is  love."  Without  this,  it 
becomes  weak  and  sick.     Without  this,  it  must  pine  and  die. 

The  practical  application  which  attaches  itself  to  this  feature  of 
the  subject,  has  cropped  out  here  and  there  already  in  our  pass- 
ing review,  and  for  the  most  part  is  apparent  to  observation.  For 
the  remainder,  as  lying  now  upon  the  surface  with  the  con(;lusion 
of  the  whole  matter,  it  suggests  itself  at  once ;  and  the  lesson 
which  it  teaches  is  direct  and  plain.  We  gather  it  in  a  brief 
survey  of  that  aspect  of  our  text  which  exhibits  "  faith,  hope, 
charity,  these  three  *'  as  abiding  now  conjunctively.  For  thus 
dwelling  together  in  the  bond  of  a  mutual  relation  and  operating 
their  effects  in  a  confluent  action,  they  exemphfy  an  obtaining 
principle  which  underlies  all  other  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Divine 
life,  and  upon  which  the  effectual  working  of  each  depends.  It 
is  in  this  living  coordinate  union  of  the  several  parts  of  the  reli" 
gious  system,  and  in  their  conjunctive  action,  that  the  great  secret 
of  spiritual  growth  is  bound  up.  Both  the  individual  believer 
and  the  church  which  is  His  body,  "grow  up  into  Him  in  all 
things,  which  is  the  Head,  even  Christ,"  in  proportion  as  their 
religious  history  is  an  exemplification  of  this  fact  and  an  illustra- 
tration  of  this  principle. 

By  the  same  Apostle  who  hints  it  in  our  text,  the  whole  matter 


16 

is  elsewhere  distinctly  stated,  as  entering  into  the  conditions  of 
our  growth  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  God,  till  we  come 
unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  perfect  man  : — "  From 
whom  the  whole  body  fitly  joined  together  and  compacted  by 
that  which  every  joint  supplieth,  according  to  the  effectual  work- 
ing in  the  measure  of  every  part,  raaketh  increase  of  the  body 
unto  the  edifying  of  itself  in  love," 

This,  then,  let  us  remember,  and  remember  again  :  for  we  are 
likely  to  forget  it.  In  discussing  religious  matters  and  de- 
fining Christian  doctrines,  we  naturally  fall  into  the  scholastic 
lines;  and  in  the  adoption  of  a  peculiar  dialect,  we  are  very  apt 
to  make  use  of  terms  and  distinctions  which  serve  to  disintegrate 
and  exhibit  apart  what  the  Revelation  of  Divine  Truth  clearly 
presents  in  a  systematic  combination  and  united  shape.  Under 
such  a  regimen  theologies  have  grown  and  thriven:  but  Christ- 
ianity itself  has  been  dwarfed  and  starved.  Divisions  in  the  sys- 
tem of  Christian  doctrine  produce  and  perpetuate  divisions  in 
*'  the  household  of  faith." 

In  times  when  love  has  waxed  cold,  and  as  a  consequence 
upon  this,  dissentions  abound,  many,  warmed  with  dogmatic  zeal 
and  theological  conceit,  run  up  and  down  and  to  and  fro  in  quest 
of  orthodoxy.  And  the  zeal  of  the  house  eats  it  up.  In  an  en- 
grossing predilection  for  certain  ^^arts  of  the  Christian  system, 
whether  catholic  or  peculiar,  the  remainder  of  "  the  faith  once 
delivered  to  the  saints  "  is  practically  discarded  and  ignored ;  and 
in  this  overmuch  attachment  to  certain  features  of  the  faith  or 
certain  notions  of  the  Gospel,  the  entire^iess  of  "  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus,"  which  is  the  Gospel  itself,  is  "  passed  by  on  the  other 
side."  The  unity  of  the  faith  is  set  at  nought,  and  charity  seeks 
in  vain  for  that  in  which  it  rejoiceth.  The  bond  of  peace  is 
broken,  and  controversy  comes  in  '  with  his  rough  voice  and  un- 
meek  aspect,'  and  divides  the  Christian  household  into  rival  sec- 
tions and  distinctive  classes.  Each  selects,  as  the  all-in-all  for 
importance,  some  favorite  and  peculiar  doctrine  ;  invests  it,  as  the 
theological  pet,  "  with  a  coat  of  many  colors  ;"  makes  a  catch- 
word even  of  its  name  ;  and  enshrining  it  in  a  peculiar  dialect, 
rejoices  in  that,  as  the  shibboleth  of  Christianity. 


17' 

To  counterwork  this  prevalent  tendency,  which,  in  a  polemical 
and  fiiithless  age,  many  have  realized  and  more  are  realizing  to 
their  spiritual  damage  and  Christian  loss,  let  us  cease  from  Re- 
ligionism and  cleave  to  what  is  of  Faith  :  Let  us  turn  aside  from 
*'  vain  jangling,"  and  "  follow  after  charity  which  is  the  bond  of 
perfectness" — in  which,  as  it  "now  abideth,"  all  that  is  true  and 
essential  and  important  in  opinion  and  doctnne  and  })raetice 
meets  and  centres  and  abides.  Under  the  dominion  of  love, 
*'  the  foundation  of  our  faith  standeth  sure,"  and  the  impulses 
of  our  hope  point  in  the  heavenly  direction.  The  exercises 
of  LOVE  con:slitute  a  basis  of  unity  in  the  bond  of  peace, 
which  is  always  safe  to  rest  upon  ;  and  if  we  prefer  one  gift  or 
grace  above  the  others,  remembering  that  "  love  is  of  God,"  let 
it  be  always  charity,  because  it  is  Divine,  the  greatest  and  the 
best.  We  shall  thus  be  established  upon  the  Gospel  as  a  j)lat- 
forra  ;  cut  loose  from  an  overweening  attachment  to  particular 
members  of  the  body,  and  fall  back  upon  the  body  of  Christiani- 
ty ITSELF. 

In  giving  free  course  to  the  exercises  of  this  greatest  grace, 
this  spirit  of  the  Gospel  and  of  its  Author,  we  shall  learn  to  look 
rather  upon  the  full  face  of  Christianity  as  presented  in  the  Bible,  ' 
than  i;pon  its  shifting  profile  as  exhibited  in  the  schools  ;  to  sink 
;those  minor  questions  which  are  not  essential  to  religion,  and 
which  a  healthful  and  vigorous  action  of  the  Christian  life  absorbs 
into  itself;  to  think  neither  of  Paul  nor  of  ApoUos,  l)ut  of  the  Gos- 
pel, which  one  may  have  planted  and  the  other  watered,  but  of 
which  only  God  pours  into  the  heart  where  love  abides  and  u]>ou 
the  life  in  which  charity  abounds,  the  blessed  increase. 

While,  on  the  one  hand,  we  see  faith  unduly  magnified  and 
the  graces  and  virtues  of  a  holy  life,  and  "  the  doctrine  which  is 
according  to  godliness,"  thrust  comparatively  into  the  back- 
ground— as  if  the  body  were  all  eye — or  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
we  hear  the  necessity  of  good  irorks  enforced,  without  a  corre- 
sponding emphasis  upon  the  indispensableness  oi  faith — as  if  the 
body  were  all  ear — let  us  side  neither  to  the  one  nor  to  the  other. 
In  a  separate  view  each  is  wide  of  the  mark,  and  disjunctively 
both  are  wrong.  They  are  the  two  scholastic  extremes  of  the 
time ;  and,  like  the  poles  af  the  earth,  ahoays  cold. 


Let  us  turn  away  from  each,  to  those  tropical  regions  of  the 
Gospel  which  are  sunned  by  the  genial  influences  of  the  Light  of 
Light,  and  rest  upon  charity,  in  which  the  two  jarring  notes  of 
the  age  are  melted  and  mingled  and  flow  together  in  harmony ; 
in  which  faith  is  the  abiding  principle  and  a  life  that  is  according 
to  godliness  the  standing  evidence  of  a  state  of  grace ;  and  with- 
out which,  in  their  joint  abiding,  under  the  sway  of  charity,  all 
religious  profession  is  as  sounding  brass,  and  all  seeming  right- 
eousness but  a  fond  conceit  and  an  empty  show. 

Finally,  if  we  understand  the  nature  ot  charity  ;  if  we  appre- 
ciate its  excellence,  and  admit  the  asserted  lact  of  its  practical 
abiding  now,  we  cannot  regard  with  passive  indiflerence,  nor  in 
any  way  apologize  for  those  reigning  divisions  and  dissensions 
which  scar  the  present  religious  aspect  and  so  sadly  retard  the 
progress  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

Christianity,  let  us  remember,  is  an  abiding  unity.  There  is 
one  Faith,  even  as  there  is  one  Lord.  And  we  know  His  will 
who  is  its  Author,  that  all  who  profess  it  should  be  one.  It  is  the 
manifest  object  of  charity  as  it  abideth  now,  to  consolidate  the 
Christian  elements  and  make  us  one.  For  this,  it  plies  us  with  its 
gentle  ministry,  embracing  every  doctrine,  receiving  every  truth, 
practising  every  virtue,  and  living  and  moving  and  rejoicing  in 
the  culture  and  growth  and  increase  of  every  grace  ;  adorning 
the  doctrine  of  God  the  Saviour  in  all  things ;  stamping  the  im- 
press of  its  influence  upon  every  separate  act  of  life  ;  infusing 
more  and  more  of  its  heavenly  spirit  into  ours;  moulding  into  a 
Divine  likeness  the  elements  of  human  character  to  hallow  it  with 
loveliness ;  and  fulfilling  the  remainder  of  its  mission  in 
"  endeavoring  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of 
peace." 


FINIS. 


125 

After  the  Sermon,  the  choir  sang  the  following 

HYMN.* 
Tune — Lenox. 

Ye  tribes  of  Adam,  join, 

With  Heaven,  and  earth,  and  seas. 
And  offer  notes  divine, 
To  your  Creator's  praise. 
Ye  holy  throng  j      In  worlds  of  light. 

Of  angels  bright,        |      Begin  the  song. 

The  shining  worlds  above 
In  glorious  order  stand, 
Or  in  swift  courses  move, 
By  His  supreme  command. 
He  spake  the  word,     j      From  nothing  came, 
And  all  their  frame      |      To  praise  the  Lord. 

He  moved  their  mighty  wheels. 

In  unknown  ages  past ; 
And  each  his  word  fulfills, 
While  time  and  nature  last. 
In  different  ways,        j      His  wondrous  name. 
His  works  proclaim     |      And  speak  his  praise. 

Let  all  the  nations  fear 

The  God  that  rules  above  ; 
He  brings  his  people  near, 

And  makes  them  taste  his  love. 
While  earth  and  sky    I      His  saints  shall  raise 
Attempt  his  praise,     I      His  honors  high. 

Then  followed  a  speech  from  Rev.  Ansou  S.  Atwood,  of  Mansfield 
Center,  Conn.,  a  native  of  Woodbury,  in  reply  to  the  sentiment, 
"  The  Early  Clergy  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  nearly  as  follows : 

Mr.  Chairman  : — I  am  called  upon  to  occupy  the  place  of  another, 
who  has  disappointed  us — not  to  fill  the  gap,  that  I  cannot  do.  I 
stand  here  at  a  short  notice,  and  with  no  other  claim  than  that  I  was 
born  in  this  town,  my  ancestors  sleep  here,  and  I  represent  in  person 
a  permanent  ministry  of  forty  years,  and  I  come  to  speak  a  few  words 
on  the  ground  of  a  permanent  ministry  in  this  homestead  of  our 
Fathers. 

The  sentiment  to  which  I  am  to  respond  is,  "  The  early  clergy  of 
16 


126 

ancient  Woodbury."  A  noble  theme — a  rich  text,  and  should  the 
exegesis,  the  commentary  on  it,  entirely  fail,  you  and  I  shall  have  the 
mutual  satisfaction  left  us,  tkat  the  text  remains  still  in  all  its  beauty 
and  loveliness  in  the  character  and  lives  of  the  departed.  Hold  fast 
the  sacred,  the  precious  treasure.  It  belongs  to  you  and  yours  as 
the  rightful  possessors,  to  be  read,  studied  and  loved  in  all  coming 
time. 

Zeehariah  Walker  was  the  first  Pastor  of  Ancient  Woodbury. 
It  is  a  good  name — Zeehariah — it  is  a  Bible  name,  and  he  was  a 
Bible  man.  The  church  was  organized  in  1670,  and  he  assumed  the 
pastorate.  And  if  tradition  tells  the  truth,  and  the  little  of  history 
that  has  come  down  to  us,  may  be  credited,  he  is  not  to  be  numbered 
among  the  minor  prophets  of  his  day  and  placed  on  the  last  leaves  of 
the  Bible.  He  was  not  an  ordinary  man,  but  made  of  sterner  stuff — 
a  man  for  the  times  and  the  work  Providence  had  for  him  to  do  ; 
every  way  worthy  to  be  the  minister  of  that  little  adventurous  band, 
who  came  from  Stratford  to  explore  and  seek  a  home  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Pomperaug ;  and  when  they  reached  the  elevation  of  that 
western  summit,  and  had  gazed  and  gazed  again  upon  the  valley,  the 
object  of  their  search,  reposing  at  their  feet  in  all  its  primitive  beau- 
ty and  loveliness,  they  fell  on  their  knees  in  gratitude  to  return  thanks 
to  God,  and  John  Minor  offered  that  memorable  prayer,  which  your 
own  historian  has  recorded — a  prayer  for  a  divine  blessing  on  their 
enterprise,  and  that  they  might  have  an  upright  and  godly  posterity 
in  all  coming  generations.  A  prayer  that  has  proved  well  nigh  prophetic 
for  ten  generations  of  the  descendants  of  some  of  these  pioneers. 

Yes,  Zeehariah  Walker  was  fitted  for  such  an  enterprise,  casting  in 
his  lot  with  theirs,  comforting  and  cheering  them  on  in  their  toils, 
labors,  sacrifices  and  perils  in  the  wilderness,  in  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  a  new  order  of  things. 

For  a  few  of  the  first  years  of  his  ministry,  the  place  of  worship 
in  the  winter  was  the  log  cabins  of  his  parishioners ;  in  the  summer, 
the  Bethel  rock  was  his  sanctuary  and  altar,  the  beat  of  the  drum  his 
bell,  the  heavens  his  sound-board,  his  chorister  unknown,  but  perched 
on  a  rocky  eminence  might  be  seen  the  sentinel  watching  the  approach 
of  danger,  while  they  bowed  the  knee  of  devotion  before  God. 
There,  in  the  solitude  of  the  forest,  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel 
were  heard  by  attentive  ears,  and  the  songs  of  Zion  were  sung  by 
strong  and  joyful  hearts. 

History  says  of  him,  that  he  had  a  sound  mind,  was  a  powerful 
and  pungent   preacher,  that  he  lived   in  harmony  with  his  people 


127 

thirty  years,  died  beloved,  and  sleeps  in  death  with  those  to  whom  he 
ministered. 

Anthony  Stoddard  followed  in  the  pastorate  in  1702,  A  part  of 
his  name  Roman,  but  all  the  rest  of  him  was  Stoddard,  from  the 
crown  of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his  foot ;  and  he  had  a  brave,  strong, 
Christian  heart,  that  beat  full  and  clear,  as  it  sent  out  its  pulsations 
through  all  the  channels  of  the  duties  of  his  sacred  office.  Who  was 
his  father  ?  Whence  came  he  ?  We  have  the  answer.  He  had  an 
enviable  descent,  from  one  of  the  ablest  divines  New  England  had 
raised  on  her  soil.  Solomon  Stoddard,  of  Northampton,  Mass.,  was 
that  father,  who  had  few  equals,  if  any  superior,  in  the  ministry  of 
that  day.  He  was  of  a  liberal  heart,  and  he  gave  to  the  cause  of 
Christ  some  large  donations.  He  had  a  daughter,  Esther,  much  be- 
loved, and  he  gave  her  away  to  be  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Timothy 
Edwards,  of  East  Windsor,  Conn.,  and  the  mother  of  the  immortal 
Jonathan  Edwards.  He  had  a  son,  Anthony,  equally  beloved,  and 
he  gave  him  to  Ancient  Woodbury. 

This  son  honored  his  parentage.  His  intellect  and  furniture  of 
mind  were  of  a  high  order  ;  and  one  would  think  from  the  amount  of 
labor  he  performed,  his  mind  must  have  been  kept  from  rusting.  He 
must  have  had  almost  a  giant's  strength,  to  have,  in  no  unimportant 
sense,  discharged  the  duties  of  three  professions  :  that  of  a  pastor,  a 
physician,  and  a  councillor  or  judge,  while,  it  is  said,  he  neglected  no 
part  of  the  duties  of  the  ministry.  It  was' from  a  necessity  of  the 
times  that  all  these  labors  devolved  upon  him.  It  must  be  remembered, 
that  education  was  almost  entirely  with  and  in  the  hands  of  minis- 
ters in  the  early  infancy  of  our  colonial  State.  Hence,  they  had  to 
do  many  things  that  belong  to  other  professions.  To  teach  school- 
masters, and  fit  them  for  their  work,  draw  deeds,  wills,  keep  records, 
and  even  be  judges,  in  same  cases,  of  probate.  Many  of  these  bur- 
densome duties  pressed  upon  Stoddard,  but  he  met  them  cheerfully, 
manfully  devoting  soul  and  body  and  every  energy  of  his  being  to 
the  advancement  of  the  best  interests  of  his  flock,  temporal  and  eter- 
nal, and  not  without  blessed  results.  A  long,  prosperous  and  hapjjy 
ministry  of  sixty  years  crowned  his  labors.  The  divine  approbation 
set  its  seal  to  his  ministry,  in  permitting  him  to  see  almost  constant 
additions  to  the  church  through  the  whole  period  of  his  ministry, 
numbering  in  all  four  hundred  and  seventy-four  persons. 

At  an  advanced  age,  having  served  his  generation  faithfully,  he 
came  to  the  grave,  "  as  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe,"  and  his  record 
is  on  high. 


128 

Noah  Benedict,  the  third  pastor  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  was  or- 
dained October  22,  1760.  We  now  come  within  the  recollection  of 
living  witnesses,  to  speak  of  a  man  Avhose  name  is  hallowed  in  the 
memories  of  many  who  have  gone  before  me.  You  remember 
him  well — remember  him  as  you  remember  no  other  minister 
you  ever  knew,  and  loved  him  as  you  never  loved  any  other  man. 
Nor  can  I  think  you  wrong  in  it.  My  earliest  years  were  impressed 
with  the  godliness,  purity  and  excellency  of  his  character,  as  I  heard 
it  from  parental  lips  with  so  much  adoration  and  veneration,  that  I 
came  to  feel,  long  before  I  knew  him,  that  he  was  something  more 
than  a  man.  And  I  am  not  alone  in  this  impression.  I  have  heard 
grave  and  venerable  men,  in  the  profession  and  out  of  it,  say  of  him, 
that  "  he  was  born  a  minister,  lived  a  minister,  died  a  minister  ;  and 
could  not,  if  he  would,  have  been  anything  else  but  a  minister  ;"  a 
minister  at  all  times,  in  all  circumstances,  in  the  pulpit  and  out  of 
the  pulpit — a  nohle  minister — a  Nathaniel  indeed,  in  whom  there  was 
no  guile. 

There  are  three  men,  of  the  good  and  the  great  that  I  have  known, 
that  I  would  like  much  to  hear  pray  again,  of  all  men  I  ever  heard 
pray,  if  they  might  come  back  to  the  world  for  a  brief  space.  Noah 
Benedict,  his  Deacon,  Matthew  Minor,  and  Azel  Backus.  They  are 
better  employed.     I  recall  my  impertinent  wish. 

The  venerated  pastor  of  whom  I  am  speaking,  and  Benjamin 
Wildman  of  Southbury,  were  near  neighbors,  and  long  tried  and  in- 
timate friends  ;  very  ditferent  were  they  in  natural  temperament  and 
ministerial  gifts  and  graces.  I  remember  an  anecdote  I  heard  in  my 
youth,  illustrative  of  the  two  men.  Said  one  of  their  brethi'cn,  who 
well  knew  them  both  and  their  different  gifts,  in  a  circle  of  Christian 
friends  on  a  certain  occasion,  "  Give  me  Benedict  to  pray,  Wildman 
to  preach,  and  I  get  as  near  to  God  and  Heaven  as  I  ever  expect  to 
while  in  the  body." 

Amiable,  dignified,  prudent,  godly,  a  sound  divine,  a  solemn  preach- 
er, a  wise  counselor,  he  stood  high  in  the  esteem  of  all  that  knew  him. 
His,  too,  was  a  long  and  useful  life.  It  closed  in  peace  after  a  pastor- 
ate of  fifty-three  years,  and  having  gathered  into  the  communion  of 
the  church  272  members.  Good  men  carried  him  to  his  burial  and 
wept  on  his  grave. 

And  who  is  it  that  I  see  in  this  chair  ?  My  worthy  and  much 
esteemed  friend  and  class-mate,  Nathaniel  Benedict  Smith.  I  remem- 
ber he  is  the  son  of  honorable  parentage.  On  the  one  hand,  descended 
from  a  father  that  dignified  the  bench  of  justice  in  our  State  with 


129 

singular  ability  and  grace ;  on  the  other  hand,  that  he  is  the  grand- 
son of  Noah  Benedict,  whose  blood  flows  warm  in  his  veins  to-day. 
I  behold  in  you,  sir,  Church  and  State  happily  united.  Whatever 
honors  may  have  alighted  on  your  head,  and  whatever  may  come  af- 
ter, this  is  a  proud  day  in  the  history  of  your  life.  It  has  honor 
enough  for  one  day. 

The  sentiment,  "  The  clergy  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  is  not  ex- 
hausted, but  time  fails  me.  The  rest  of  the  list  of  these  worthies,  I 
must  hastily  group  together,  with  only  a  passing  notice.  Of  these, 
may  be  named,  John  R.  Marshall,  John  Graham,  Thos.  Canfield, 
Reuben  Judd,  Daniel  Brinsmade,  Jeremiah  Day,  the  father  of  a  son 
of  the  same  name,  the  ex-President  of  Yale  College,  whom  a  thou- 
sand pUpils  in  the  land  rise  up  to-day  to  call  blessed,  were  settled 
over  churches  within  the  limits  of  Woodbury,  Of  them  it  may  be 
said,  they  did  a  good  work  for  Christ. 

Last,  but  not  least,  were  the  two  first  pastors  of  Bethlehem,  Joseph 
Bellamy  and  Azel  Backus.  Both  living  lights  in  their  day.  Dr. 
Bellamy  was  truly  a  great  man  in  the  pulpit  and  out  of  it.  His  person 
and  his  eloquence  were  attractive  and  commanding,  and  when  warmed 
up  by  his  subject,  he  carried  his  audience  whither  he  would,  and  such 
a  torrent  of  truth  would  at  times  burst  forth,  that  it  seemed  as  if  "  the 
foundations  of  the  great  deep  had  broken  up." 

At  the  age  of  thirty,  only  a  few  years  after  the  "  Great  Awaken- 
ing" of  1740,  in  which  he  labored  abundantly  wherever  there  was 
an  opportunity,  he  produced  that  masterly  work,  "  True  Religion  De- 
lineated," that  gained  him  celebrity  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic. 
One  of  the  best  books  in  the  English  language  on  that  subject  ever 
written.  His  works  and  his  ability  to  defend  the  truth  and  demolish 
the  error,  have  never  been  doubted,  and  his  name  will  live  in  all 
coming  time,  while  God's  Law  is  honored  on  earth  and  a  free  and 
full  salvation  is  preached  to  men. 

No  wonder  his  successor  in  the^  pastorate  of  the  church  of  Bethle- 
hem should  feel  a  deep  anxiety  for  th^  approval  and  success  of  his 
ministry,  as  indeed  he  did.  His  inquiry  of  the  colored  man  of  the 
parish,  how  his  ministry  was  received,  showed  this.  The  answer 
was,  "  Master  Backus,  be  very  good  man — preach  very  well,  but  no 
make  God  half  so  great  as  Dr.  Bellamy."  The  colored  man  showed 
his  training  and  improvement  under  the  Greater  Master  in  Israel. 
But  had  he  lived  a  few  years  longer,  he  might  have  seen  that  the 
mantle  of  Elijah  had  fallen  on  Elisha. 


130 

What  a  record  this,  to  embalm  in  our  memories  and  in  our  grati- 
tude for  our  homestead  and  our  mothei-,  of  a  history  of  143  years  of 
a  successful,  permanent,  and  happy  ministry,  crowned  with  the  bless- 
ing of  God.     Ps.  xlviii.  12,  14. 

Let  God  and  not  man  have  all  the  glory.  These  all  died  in  faith, 
and  have  received  the  reward  of,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant; thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee 
ruler  over  many  things,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord." 


Then  followed  a  volunteer  speech  from  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Shipmau, 
of  Jewett  City,  Conn.,  on  "The  Departed  Clergy  of  the  Pres- 
ent Generation,"  as  follows  : 

Mr.  President-.  I  must  occupy  your  attention  but  a  moment 
at  this  hour.  Give  me  a  fair  field  and  I  am  a  match  for  my  prede- 
cessor in  the  gift  of  continuance.  Let  me  tell  a  story.  Good  Brother 
Brown,  of  Oxford,  now  gone  to  his  rest,  came  up  to  my  house  once, 
on  his  way  to  "Ministers'  Meeting,"  early  Monday  evening.  We 
talked  till  twelve,  and  then  I  held  the  candle  for  him  an  hour.  Our 
conversation  was  interrupted  by  "  Ministers'  Meeting,"  on  Tuesday 
and  Wednesday.  We  returned  Wednesday  evening,  so  late  that  he 
concluded  to  pass  the  night.  Thursday  morning,  after  breakfast,  we 
resumed  conversation,  till  the  family  began  to  set  the  table  for  dinner. 
"  Upon  my  word,"  said  he,  "  is  it  noon  ?  I  intended  to  have  gone 
home."  "  You  won't  go  now  till  after  dinner."  After  dinner  we 
resumed  conversation  till  four  o'clock ;  he  suddenly  started.  "  I 
must  go,  for  I  have  a  meeting  this  evening."  "  If  you  must  go,  I 
will  get  your  horse."  I  led  the  horse  to  the  door.  He  stood  with 
his  foot  on  the  step  of  his  carriage  a  moment,  when  he  spoke :  "  1 
must  go,  but  Brother  Shipman,  Iwant  to  come  up  and  have  some  con- 
versation with  you." 

Having  spent  the  best  part  of  my  life  within  the  limits  of  an- 
cient Woodbury,  I  esteem  it  a  very  kind  Providence  that  I  am  per- 
mitted to  be  an  eye  and  ear  witness  of  civic  and  sacred  services 
so  full  of  interest  to  all  the  sons  of  Woodbury,  both  native  and 
adopted.  The  grateful  privilege  is  given  me  of  recalling  the  names 
of  some  of  the  departed  clergy  of  the  present  generation,  who  ful- 
filled their  ministry  mainly,  if  not  wholly,  within  the  bounds  of 
Litchfield  South  Association.  There  is  Hart,  with  his  keen  and 
piercing  eye,  his  ready  wit,  and  severe    logic ;  there  is   Griswold, 


i 


131 

with  his  commanding  form  and  sonorous  voice,  ever  prepared  to  in- 
sinuate Hart's  logic  with  the  witchery  of  his  eloquence.  Harrison, 
so  gifted  by  nature  that  he  needed  not  the  adventitious  aid  of  a  college 
diploma.  Andrew,  to  whom  might  be  extended  what  was  said  of 
Roger  Sherman,  "  A  man  that  never  spoke  a  foolish  word,"  one  of 
the  jiurest  spirits  that  earth  ever  gave  to  heaven.  Brownell,  of  differ- 
ent natural  temperament,  but  equally  an  earnest  preacher  and  faith- 
ful pastor,  though  "  dead,  he  yet  spdaketh."  Gelston,  having  his 
conversation  in  the  world  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  and  keep- 
ing the  "  even  tenor  of  his  way,"  to  a  good  old  age.  Butterjield,  his 
name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth,  and  to  mention  no  more,  Smith, 
my  nearest  neighbor,  I  seem  to  feel  the  beatings  of  his  warm  heart 
while  I  speak ;  his  sun  went  down  while  it  was  yet  day,  but  it  went 
down  to  him  in  brighter  heavens.  Precious  men  of  God.  We  enjoyed 
their  friendship  while  living,  we  will  cherish  the  memory  of  their  vir- 
tues now  that  they  are  dead.  I  met  Mr.  Boardman,  of  New  Preston, 
several  years  after  he  had  left  the  country.  I  said  to  him,  "  Mr. 
Boardman,  have  you  found  another  Litchfield  South  ? "  "  No,  and  no 
other  man  ever  found  but  one  Litchfield  South."  I  partly  believe 
it,  wholly  this  side  of  the  river.  The  people  of  this  region,  "  to  the 
manor  born" — descendants  of  the  old  Puritan  stock,  give  strangers, 
whether  clerical  or  laical,  their  confidence  cautiously,  but  when 
they  have  given  it,  they  grapple  you  with  "  hooks  of  steel."  But  I 
must  not  detain  you.  The  old  Spartans  were  brief  in  speech,  men 
of  deeds  rather  than  words.  Hence,  our  word  laconic,  from  their" 
Laconia,  a  word  which  I  greatly  fear  will  have  in  the  next  edition  of 
Goodrich's  Webster,  appended  to  it,  obsolete,  unless  one  of  those  "  in- 
consistent"* Atwoods  saves  it  at  the  death.  That  /  may  honor  this 
Spartan  virtue,  I  will  close,  simply  expressing  my  gratitude  for  the 
past  history  of  Woodbury,  and  as  the  best  wish  of  my  heart,  that  her 
sons  in  all  future  time  may  prove  worthy  of  their  ancient  sires. 

The  exercises  of  the  forenoon  were  closed  by  the  following  Ad- 
dress delivered  in  behalf  of  the  Old  Pioneer  Chui'ch,  by  Deacon 
Truman  Minor,  of  Woodbury. 

"  The  children  of  this  world  are  in   their  generation  wiser  than  the  children  of 
light."— ZuAe  16  :  8. 

Brethren  :  We  live  in  an  era  which  is  peculiar  for  eulogies  and 
praises  bestowed  on  almost  every  service  done  to  our  State  and  coun- 

*  In  allusion  to  Mr.  Bacon's  portraiture  of  the  Atwoods. 


132 

try.  Every  gift  and  talent  thus  employed  is  cheered  in  trumpet 
tones  from  the  capital  of  our  confederacy  to  the  extremity  of  our 
territories,  proclaiming  the  deeds  of  those  that  have  lived  and  now 
live.  AssembHes  are  convened,  resolutions  are  passed,  monuments 
ei-ected ;  they  are  seen  on  Groton  Heights  and  Bunker  Hill,  and  on 
Roxbury  slopes  ;  they  are  designed  as  so  many  sparkling  stars  to 
proclaim  the  daring  deeds  of  American  heroes.  Sculpture  now 
comes  forward  to  the  rescue,  and  carves  in  solid  marble  the  forms  and 
features  of  those  that  have  been  honored  and  applauded  by  the  men 
of  the  world.  Atheneums  are  built,  the  relics  of  antiquity  are  gath- 
ered and  stored.  The  camp-chair  of  him,  once  the  terror  of  all 
Europe,  is  sought  and  obtained.  Bricks  from  Nineveh  are  trans- 
ported. Hartford  oaks  are  immortalized,  and  fragments  of  it  in- 
troduced into  the  parlors  of  the  fashionable  and  great,  all  for  the 
purpose  of  handing  down  to  posterity  the  names  and  deeds  of  men, 
not  more  exmplary  in  their  lives  than  were  the  Twelve  Apostles,  nor 
more  benevolent  in  their  deeds,  or  patient  in  suffering,  or  forbear- 
ing an  insult,  or  more  inclined  to  bridle  their  tongues  for  fear  of  giv- 
ing offence ;  and  yet  they  are  more  often  quoted  and  boasted  of  as 
the  wonder  of  the  world,  and  so  many  radiating  points  that  should 
attract  every  mortal  eye  and  claim  an  adoring  prayer  from  every  one 
that  passes  by,  exclaiming :  "  These  be  thy  gods,  O  Israel !  that 
brought  thee  up  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  and  out  of  the  house  of 
bondage."  And  yet,  brethren,  these  are  all  proper  in  their  place  ; 
they  have  their  respective  claims,  and,  so  far  as  we  should,  we  are 
ready  to  pay  them  our  respect  and  sincere  homage  ;  we  honor  those 
men,  we  admire  their  philanthropy,  we  mark  the  patriotism  which 
characterize  their  lives.  Brethren,  there  is  still  a  set  of  objects  and 
men  that  have  more  attracted  our  attention,  nearly  eclipsed  our 
vision — men  and  objects  for  which  we  have  the  highest  personal 
respect,  whose  memory  and  moral  worth  should  be  embalmed  in  the 
heart  and  practiced  in  the  life  of  each  member  of  the  old  honored 
Pioneer  Church  forever.  Men  that  entered  into  covenant  wtth  God 
and  one  another,  and  took  their  lives  in  their  hands  and  left  Egypt  and 
came  up  into  this  once  wide  howling  wilderness  to  plant  a  Church, 
surrounded  with  b^sts  and  savages  more  wild  and  ferocious  than  the 
lions  and  Hotentots  of  Africa.  Here  in  this  pleasant  valley  and 
mountain  fastnesses,  they  commended  themselves  and  their  cause  to 
God ;  they  came  here  under  the  guide  and  direction  of  the  Divine 
hand,  in  the  possession  of  the  promise :  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway 
even  unto  the  end."     They  came  with  a  charge  superior  to  that  given 


133 

by  the  Elders  of  Israel  to  Boaz  and  Ruth  saying,  "  Be  fruitful  and 
multiply,  and  let  your  seed  possess  the  gates  of  their  enemies."  They 
have  been  fruitful  and  obedient,  they  liave  driven  out  the  heathen, 
their  enemies,  and  have  taken  possession  of  the  land  which  the  Lord 
their  God  gave  them.  Their  children  have  multiplied.  Lift  up  your 
eyes,  my  brethren,  and  see  what,  mean  these  hallowed  domes,  these 
public  altars  on  which  the  fires  of  devotion  have  for  generations  burnt. 
A  little  one  has,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  almost  become  a  nation. 
Go  with  me  up  and  down  these  valleys,  and  over  these  hills,  and 
behold  these  their  covenant  children,  the  legitimate  offspring  of  a  cov- 
enant wedlock.  These  ecclesiastical  societies,  these  orthodox  churches, 
are  the  fruits  which  the  Old  Pioneer  has  borne.  The  Second  Con- 
gregational Church  in  this  town  is  but  the  other  half  of  ourselves. 
The  Episcopal  ChuKch  here  is  one  of  our  junior  brethren.  The 
Methodist  Church  is  one  of  our  younger,  tender  sisters  ;  the  Church 
in  Southbury  is  Reuben,  the  first  born,  the  beginning  of  strength. 
The  Church  of  Bethlem  is  a  son  of  the  royal  family  ;  the  Churches  of 
"Washington  and  South  Farms  are  of  kindred  blood ;  the  Churches 
of  Watertown,  Middlebury,  Roxbury,  South  Britain  and  a  part  of 
Oxford,  are  the  spiritual  children  of  the  sacramental  pair. 

Mr.  President,  and  Brethren,  I  said  in  my  commencement  that 
''  the  children  of  this  world  are  in  their  generation  wiser  than  the 
children  of  light ; "  this  ought  not  so  to  be.  It  is  time  for  the  Church 
to  assert  her  right  to  her  own  sons,  and  exercise  her  power.  Her 
worldly  competitors  should  not  pluck  the  laurels  from  her  brow  and 
bear  them  away  in  triumph !  What  if  we  cannot,  as  do  they,  boast 
'an  uncouth  Putnam,  or  an  Ethan  Allen,  who  demanded  the  surrender 
of  a  fort  commanded  and  defended  by  British  foes,  with  a  roughness 
and  profanity  that  would  chill  the  blood  in  the  veins  of  the  Puritan 
Fathers,  and  make  the  cheek  of  modesty  turn  pale : — yet  we  can 
speak  of  important  service  done  by  the  sons  of  the  church  to  our 
country.  We  can  boast  of  their'demanding  the  surrender  of  a  fort 
in  this  once  wilderness,  commanded  by  old  ApoUyon  and  garrisoned 
by  fallen  angels,  where,  in  the  midst  of  their  fiendish  games  and 
their  revelry,  were  heard  ever  and  anon  the  yell,  the  savage  cry,  and 
the  war-whoop.  A  demand,  not  like  Allen's,  made  in  the  name  of  a 
Continental  Congress,  but  from  higher  authority,  in  the  name  of 
Heaven's  Imperial  King,  did  those  dauntless  soldiers  of  the  cross 
press,  till  these  sons  of  perdition  were  compelled  to  come  out  of  their 
wretched  dens,  and,  like  the  regulars  of  old,  harmlessly  gnash  their 
teeth  on  their  victors,  and  as  they  retired,  break  up  their  arms  on  the 
16 


134 

stumps  and  stones  in  their  way.  Had  I  the  strength  and  the  power, 
I  would  raise  my  voice  to  thunder-tones,  and  from  pole  to  pole  pro- 
claim these  men  and  their  deeds  immortal.  We  stand  here  to-day, 
my  brethren,  in  these  mountain  gorges,  the  representatives  of  a  church 
and  a  race  of  men  of  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy.  What  if 
they  did  wander  about  a  while  in  sheeps  skins  and  goats'  skins, 
afHicted,  tormented  ?  They  bore  the  marks  of  Heaven's  high  appro- 
val ;  they  held  in  their  hands  a  bond  for  a  deed  of  the  land  of  Canaan. 
All  along  the  banks  of  the  river  of  life  these  men  made  fast  to  the 
rock  of  ages  by  the  everlasting  couplings  of  a  Heaven-imparted  faith, 
secured  thereto  by  the  Omnipotent  strength  of  a  God-sustaining  cove- 
nant. They  outrode  the  storms  and  changes  of  mortal  years,  and  are 
now  safely  gathered  in  the  Paradise  above. 

But  I  forbear.  The  current  of  my  feelings  has  drawn  me  out  into 
deep  water,  beyond  the  seaworthiness  of  my  boat.  I  will  now  return 
to  those  families  as  they  came  up  from  Stratford,  or  "  Egypt,"  as  I 
have  called  it.  Those  families  brought  up  the  ark,  the  tabernacle, 
and  the  testimony.  It  was  of  Divine  direction  that  some  order  be 
preserved  in  the  moving,  the  setting  up,  and  the  taking  down  of  the 
tabernacle ;  its  boards,  tenons  and  furniture.  To  effect  this  it  was 
necessary  to  make  a  selection  from  those  families.  This  was  done, 
and  the  family  of  the  Minors  was  taken.  Some  name  by  lot  must 
be  chosen,  and  the  name  of  John  was  taken.  And  now,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent, and  Brethren,  we  can  with  truth  say  of  this  man.  he  was  faith- 
ful in  all  his  house ;  he  was  faithful  to  the  trusts  committed  to  his 
charge  ;  he  was  a  man  of  faith  and  of  prayer ;  he  trusted  in  the  cov- 
enant mercy  of  a  covenant-keeping  God,  who  has  said :  "  I  will  be  a 
God  to  thee,  and  thy  seed  after  thee."  That  promise  has  not  yet 
failed.  God  has  not  left  him  without  a  man  of  his  own  name  and 
blood,  for  one  hundred  and  ninety  years,  to  serve  at  the  table  and 
tabernacle  of  his  and  their  covenant  Lord.  Here  is  the  furniture* 
which  he  and  they  have  kept  and  handled.  In  these  did  he  bear  to 
their  brethren  and  sisters  the  emblems  of  the  body  and  blood  of  their 
common  Redeemer.  From  these  have  they  communed  with  God 
and  one  another.  Hallowed  remembrances  !  Glorious  keepsakes  ! 
Let  them  linger  around  our  memories ;  let  them  be  bound  to  our 
hearts  forever  ;  let  them,  and  the  elements  they  bear,  serve  as  a  gold- 
en chain  to  bind  us  to  God  and  each  other ;  and  had  not  God,  in  his 
inscrutable  providence,  moved  our  respected  and  learned  Historian  f 

*  The  furniture  presented  to  view.        t  W.  Cothrcn,  Historian  of  Woodbury. 


135 

to  take  up  the  wondrous  tale  of  these  and  the  old  Pioneer  Church 
history,  it  would  doubtless  have  remained  in  darkness  and  forgetful- 
ness  forever.  I  might  speak  of  the  succession  of  officers  in  this 
Church,  bearing  the  name  of  Minor  ;  I  might  tell  you  of  Samuel, 
of  Jehu,  of  Jonah,  of  Clement,  of  Josiah,  of  Matthew,  of 
Seth  ;  these  men  were  renowned  for  their  piety,  some  of  them  pecu- 
liarly so  for  their  heavenly  mindedness,  their  self-denial,  their  watch- 
fulness and  prayerfuluess,  their  strictness  in  conversation  on  the  Sab- 
bath, their  entire  resei'vedness  in  word  and  action  on  that  holy  day  ; 
their  punctuality  in  the  house  of  God,  and  their  attendance  on  all  the 
means  of  grace ;  their  reading  and  their  familiarity  with  the  Scrip- 
tures ;  their  strict  honesty  between  man  and  man  ;  their  law-abiding 
reverence  of  those  set  in  authority  over  them  ;  the  utter  impossibility 
of  bribing  them  to  do  evil ;  their  absolute  hatred  of  all  that  was 
wrong ;  their  readiness  to  give  and  receive  of  the  things  that  were 
good ;  their  tenderness  and  teachableness ;  in  a  word,  for  all  that 
makes  up  the  Christian  character  in  fallen  man.  Among  these  migh- 
ty men  in  the  Scriptures,  perhaps  none  were  more  so  than  the  late 
Dea.  Matthew  Minor — he  had  read  the  Scriptures  through  by 
course  sixty  times  !  He  was  as  familiar  with  them  as  the  scholar  is 
with  his  nouns  and  pronouns  ;  the  Bible  was  his  constant  companion 
— he  carried  it  into  the  field ;  its  sacred  pages  were  his  delight.  He 
would  often  exclaim,  "  Oh,  how  love  I  thy  law !  it  is  daily  my  delight : 
I  esteem  thy  precepts  more  than  my  necessary  food."  Brethren, 
although  the  mighty  have  fallen,  the  weapons  of  their  warfare  have 
not  perished — they  are  still  mighty,  through  God,  to  the  pulling  down 
of  strongholds.  Shall  the  mantle  of  such  men  fall  to  the  ground  ? 
Will  we  not  emulate  these  men  ?  Shall  the  glory  depart  ?  Shall 
Ichahod  be  written  upon  us  ?  Shall  the  house  of  Eli  be  cut  off  here  ? 
God  forbid  !  Let  us  feel  to-day,  my  brethren,  that  we  are  covenant 
children.  We  are  the  circumcised  of  the  Lord,  the  promises  are 
ours,  they  were  made  to  our  fathers  and  their,  children.  We  area 
peculiar  people — a  royal  priesthood — a  holy  nation ;  and  we  do  to-day 
acknowledge  God  before  this  assembly  as  the  Author  of  our  adoption  ; 
we  here  avouch  the  Lord  Jehovah  to  be  our  God,  as  he  has  been  the 
God  of  our  fathers.  He  has  shown  himself  a  covenant-keeping  God. 
He  gave  our  fathers  and  us  faithful  teachers,  godly  pastors,  holy  men, 
who  wrestled  like  Jacob  and  prevailed  like  Israel ;  they  were  the 
anointed  of  the  Lord ;  the  holy  anointing  oil  was  upon  them ;  like 
Aaron,  the  priest,  they  wore  the  breastplate  of  righteousness  before 
the  Lord,  on  which  was  engraven  the  names  of  the  twelve  covenant 


136 

sons  of  Jacob — a  Heaven-appointed  token  of  mercy  to  us  and  our 
cliildren.  Those  men  have  stood  between  the  living  and  the  dead  ; 
they  have  turned  away  wrath  from  the  people  ;  they  have  been  faith- 
ful watchmen,  trumpets  of  a  certain  sound,  that  men  might  prepare 
themselves  for  the  battle!  they  were  instant  in  season  and  out  of  sea- 
son ;  they  shunned  not  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God,  whether 
men  would  hear  or  forbear.  Among  the  worthies  that  have  prevailed 
to  turn  away  wrath  from  our  fathers  and  us,  as  a  covenant  people, 
are  the  Reverend  names  of  Walker,  of  Stoddard,  of  Benedict 
— of  whom  it  was  said,  as  of  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  that  he  was  born 
holy ;  of  Strong,  his  successor,  I  shall  say  but  little.  His  ministry 
was  short.  He  thought  to  teach  the  inhabitants  of  the  old  town  a 
new  theology,  which  consisted  in  the  amalgamation  of  sheep,  and 
fowls,  and  swine — a  mixture  of  warp  and  woof,  all  contrary  to  the 
law  and  the  commandment,  which  says :  "  Thou  shalt  not  sow  thy 
fields  with  divers  kinds  of  seed."  The  other  men  in  the  pastoral 
office  have  been  worthy  of  their  predecessors,  of  whom  was  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Andrew,  Rev.  Mr.  Curtis,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Williams,  our  pres- 
ent beloved  and  esteemed  pastor.  Such  have  been  the  fathers'  and 
the  children's  pastors  and  teachers.  We  have,  my  brethren,  been 
dandled  in  the  lap  of  piety ;  we  have  been  trained  in  the  school  of 
the  prophets ;  we  have  been  brought  up,  like  Paul,  at  the  feet  of 
Gamaliel ; — may  we  show  ourselves  worthy  of  our  noble  sires  and 
our  holy  training. 

One  word  more,  Mr.  President,  in  relation  to  the  Minor  family, 
and  I  have  done.  It  has  been  tauntingly  said  that  nothing  could  be 
scored  or  hewed  from  that  name  but  Deacon  timber.  Sir,  I  glory  in 
the  repi'oach,  yet  I  deny  the  charge.  There  have  been  men  of  this 
name  and  race  that  have  filled  important  offices  in  the  land ;  one  has 
received  the  highest  gift  of  the  people  of  this  State — he  has  filled 
the  Executive  chair  for  two  successive  years,  and  filled  it  honorably ; 
the  taunt  is  therefore  groundless. 

But  I  am  admonished  that  it  is  time,  high  time,  for  me  to  close.  I 
will  do  so,  in  one  word.  And  now,  sir,  let  mine  be  the  shame,  and 
let  it  be  the  shame  of  my  children,  if  shame  it  be,  that  they  and  I 
have  lived  and  died  the  God-appointed,  God-accepted,  man-approved 
Deacons  of  the  Old  Pioneer  Church. 

After  another  re-union  at  the  refreshment  tents,  the  booming  can- 
non, and  the  music  of  the  Band,  again  called  the  delighted  multitude 
to  the  Speakers'  tent,  whei'e  the  exercises  of  the  last  afternoon  were 


137 

opened,  on  the  part  of  the  choir,  by  singing  with  hearty  joy,  the  fol- 
lowing 

ODE. 

BY    WILLIAM    COTHREN. 

Air — "Sweet  Home." 

Thrice  welcome  the  day  which  now  brings  to  the  mind, 
The  deeds  of  our  fathers,  so  nol)le  and  kind  ; 
An  incense  of  sweetness  breathes  out  on  the  air. 
The  incense  of  welcome,  the  incense  of  prayer. 
Home,  home,  sweet,  sweet  home, 
No  place  like  our  firesides, 
No  place  like  our  homes. 

Tbe  eartii  has  grown  old  for  full  many  a  year. 
Since  the  people  of  God  came  to  worship  Him  here ; 
And  the  graves  are  moss-grown  of  the  sturdy  old  stock, 
Who  prayed  in  their  Bethel,  the  shade  of  the  Rock. 
Home,  &c. 

Oh  !  shades  of  the  mighty,  most  faithful  of  men, 
Will  the  meed  of  your  virtues  e'er  greet  us  again  ? 
A  iialo  of  glory  surrounds  each  fair  brow. 
Which  shall  shine  in  yon  Heaven  forever  as  now. 
Home,  &c. 

Then  followed  a  speech  in  reply  to  the  Sentiment,  "  Tae  Early 
Lawyers  of  Ancient  Woodbuy,"  by  Hon.  Seth  P.  Beers,  of 
Litchfield,  Conn.,  a  native  of  Woodbury,  which  is  as  follows : 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : — In  the  order  of 
exercises  arranged  for  this  afternoon,  we  were  to  have  been  favored 
with  an  address  by  John  Lorimer  Graham,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  on 
"  THE  EARLY  LAWYERS  OF  ANCIENT  WooDBURY."  In  the  absence 
of  Mr.  Graham,  I  am  kindly  requested  to  occupy  the  time  assigned 
to  him  in  such  remarks  as  I  may  deem   appi'opriate  to   the  occasion. 

In  meeting  the  call  thus  made  upon  me,  it  cannot  be  expected  that 
I  should  occupy  the  ground  allotted  to  him,  for  the  subject  matter 
requires  some  previous  preparation.  Nevertheless,  while  expressing 
my  regret  that  this  interesting  feature  of  our  commemoration  should 
be  passed  by  without  that  proper  notice  which  your  Committee  con- 
templated, I  will  so  far  step  into  the  gap,  as  to  notice  and  relate  an 
anecdote  of  the  earliest  Laioyer  in  Woodbury,  Till  about  a  century 
ago — whether  there  were  occasion  for  it   before,  I  cannot  say — the 


138 

ancient  town  was  not  blessed  with  the  services  of  a  resident  Lawyer. 
Its  lli-st  legal  practitioner  was  Hezehiah  Thompson,  Esq.,  who  came 
here  about  1757,  and  built  a  house  in  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
which  he  occupied  till  his  death.  This  house  is  still  owned  by  his 
descendants. 

He  was  a  sound  lawyer,  an  able  advocate,  and  withal  a  man  of 
strict  integrity,  and  a  peace-maker.  He  was  distinguished  also  in 
his  time  as  a  man  of  wit  and  humor.  The  anecdote  I  propose  to 
relate,  will  show  this. 

A  person  from  abroad  called  on  Mr.  T.,  introducing  himself  as  a 
relative.  After  canvassing  the  genealogy,  the  relationship  was  found 
to  be  very  remote,  and  Mr.  T.  was  quite  disposed  to  turn  a  cold 
shoulder  upon  his  country  cousin.  The  visitor  continued  his  stay, 
accompanying  his  host  wherever  he  went,  whether  invited  or  not, 
till  his  presence  became  irksome,  and  the  good  lawyer  determined  to 
shake  him  off.  Meeting  one  of  his  neighbors,  he  introduced  his  vis- 
itor as  a  relative.  The  neighbor  inquired  whether  he  was  brother, 
or  uncle,  or  nephew,  or  cousin.  "  Nearer  than  that,"  replied  the 
squire.  "  From  the  best  information  I  can  gather  fi'om  him,  I  find 
that  my  grandfather  mended  a  side-saddle  for  his  grandmother." 
This  indefinite  hint  was  definitely  taken,  and  the  country  cousin 
made  a  speedy  exit. 

Recurring  now,  Mr.  President,  to  the  broad  provisions  of  your 
invitation,  I  hardly  know  what  to  begin  with.  Almost  every  topic 
appropriate  to  the  occasion  has  been  anticipated  and  exhausted  in 
the  very  interesting  and  elaborate  historical  address  to  which  we 
listened  yesterday.  I  am  left,  therefore,  to  glean  in  a  very  limited 
and  exhausted  field,  or  to  seek  in  some  private  nook  of  it  which  may 
have  escaped  the  vigilance  of  those  who  have  preceded  me,  materials 
for  the  few  remarks  which  are  asked  from  me. 

Though  we  have  been  invited  here  to  celebrate  the  two  hundredth 
annrversary  of  the  exploration  of  "  Ancient  Woodbury,"  I  presume 
we  are  not  expected  to  roam  over  the  whole  of  that  inclusive  period, 
but  may  be  allowed  to  confine  ourselves  to  events  within  a  much 
shorter  space  ot  time.  I  must  presume  upon  it,  that  so  long  as  what 
I  may  have  to  say  has  a  historical  reference,  I  am  free  to  select  my 
ground,  and  occupy  it  pretty  much  as  I  choose. 

Under  this  impression,  in  the  few  plain  remarks  which  I  pi'opose 
to  submit,  1  shall  confine  myself  to  a  term  of  time  within  the  memory 
of  men  notv  living — a  period  which  embraces  events  as  important 
as  any  which  have  accrued  within  these  two  centuries. 


139 

I  go  back  to  seventy-eight  years  ago  ;  and  from  that  stand-point 
glance  over  the  succeeding  time. 

What  great  and  notable  events  have  occurred  in  our  country  within 
this  space  of  a  man's  life  !  It  has  witnessed  the  organization  of  our 
American  Republic,  and  its  happy  settlement  under  the  architect  of 
its  Independence.  It  has  seen  that  greatest  among  great  men,  the  illus- 
trious Washington,  with  his  successors  in  the  Presidency,  Adams, 
Jefferson,  Madison,  Monroe,  and  others  highly  distinguished, 
Avho  have  come  in  their  places,  gathered  to  their  fathers.  It  has 
seen  the  brilliant  career  of  such  eminent  men  as  Jay,  Franklin,  Mar- 
shall, Clay,  Webster,  and  many  other  distinguished  men  of  whom 
this  nation  has  reason  to  be  proud,  begun  and  ended.  It  has  seen 
the  progress  of  our  country  from  feebleness  to  strength,  and  from 
comparative  insignificance  to  importance  among  the  nations.  It  has 
seen  villages  grown  into  cities,  and  territories  ripened  into  States — 
our  western  wilderness  subdued  by  the  enterprise  of  industry,  and 
become  the  granary  of  the  world.  It  has  witnessed  an  era  in  the 
annals  of  popular  education  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  the  world. 
What  has  it  not  seen  ? 

Within  this  period  of  seventy-eight  years  there  have  come  into 
use  Canals,  Steam  Engines,  Railroads,  Telegraphs,  and  (almost) 
a  trans-Atlantic  Gable.  This  space  of  seventy-eight  years  has  been 
fruitful  of  great  events — of  events  more  important  to  the  welfare  of 
this  nation,  than  any  which  have  occurred  since  the  landing  of  our 
forefathers  upon  this  continent. 

And  yet  on  the  1st  day  of  July,  1781 — or,  (if  I  may  be  allowed 
the  three  days  of  grace  to  which  the  most  simple  mercantile  instru- 
ment is  entitled,)  I  will  say  seventy-eight  years  ago  on  i\\Q  fourth  of 
July,  an  event  occurred,  more  important  to  him  loho  now  addresses 
you,  than  any  other  which  has  taken  place  during  the  whole  period. 

WHAT    AVAS    IT  ? 

In  yonder  mansion,  late  the  residence  of  the  much  lamented  and 
Hon.  Charles  B.  Phelps,  on  the  first  fourth  day  of  July,  1781,  was 
found  puling  in  its  nurse's  arms,  a  guild — now,  the  humble  indi- 
vidual who  addresses  a  generation  that  knew  not  Joseph.  Such  is 
the  record  in  his  grandmother's  Bible,  and  who  claims  to  question 
the  authenticity  of  such  documentary  evidence,  whether  in  the  text 
or  notes  ?  In  the  text  of  that  sacred  book  you  will  find  from  whence 
(through  his  grandfather,  Seth  Preston,)  that  child  derived  his  chris- 
tian name  ;  and  although  the  original  possessor  of  the  name  lived 


140 

nine  hundred  and  twelve  of  what  was  then  called  years,  and  though 
some  of  my  good  friends  suppose  that  I  have  a  perpetual  lease  of 
life, — I  assure  them  that  my  lease  has  already  expired,  and  I  am 
now  only  an  occupant  upon  sufferance. 

My  coming  hither  to-day,  seems  a  completion  of  the  circle  of  my 
life.  It  brings  me  round  to  the  point  whence  I  started,  and  connects 
the  termination  of  the  line  with  its  beginning ;  amid  the  scenery  of 
my  early  days  the  experiences  of  my  early  life  come  back  to  me. 

And  now  while  here,  a  reminiscent,  with  the  aid  of  objects  around 
me,  which  call  to  mind  the  early  events  of  a  life  which  must  soon 
terminate,  and  of  which  the  present  generation  possesses  little  if  any 
knowledge,  my  thoughts  naturally  linger  upon  that  early  portion  of 
my  life,  which  was  passed  in  this  my  birth-place. 

Whatever  opinions  may  be  entertained  by  others  on  this  subject, 
so  far  as  it  respects  myself,  there  is  no  part  of  my  life  to  which  I 
recur  with  greater  satisfaction,  or  of  which  I  am  more  proud,  than 
the  first  chapter  of  my  history.  It  would  deface  the  rest,  if  that 
were  obliterated  from  the  account.  Some  person  has  said,  (I  don't 
remember  who — but  am  willing  to  stand  sponsor  to  the  sentiment,) 
"  the  best  and  most  important  section  of  every  man's  life  is  its  first." 
I  go  back,  therefore,  to  my  best,  and  begin  with  the  beginning. 

I  can  say  of  myself,  that  I  am  "native  and  to  the  manor  born;  " 
and  if  I  am  entitled  to  indulgence  anywhere,  for  lingering  upon  per- 
sonal details,  I  may  fairly  claim  it  here.  As  no  person  will  be  likely 
to  undertake  my  biogi'aphy,  I  may  as  well,  perhaps,  do  it  myself. 
The  first  twenty  years  of  my  life  were  passed  in  this,  my  birth- 
place ;  and  I  shall  only  sketch  this  quarter  of  it,  as  belonging  to  the 
town. 

My  father,  in  right  of  my  mother,  possessed  what  was  considered 
a  handsome  estate,  in  those  early  days.  When  I  was  yet  a  boy,  by 
losses  on  Continental  bills  and  mercantile  misfortunes,  he  became 
what  might  be  fairly  called  a  poor  man.  I  may  say,  therefore,  that 
self-reliance  was  my  birth-right.  It  has  often  been  my  boast,  that 
I  am  descended  from  a  long  line  of  illustrious  tailors  ;  and  in  my 
early  career  in  this  latitude,  I  so  far  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  my 
illustrious  ancestry  as  to  attain  some  knowledge  in  the  mystery  and 
craft  of  needle  and  thread — an  acquaintance  which  has  been  of  great 
service  to  me  through  life,  especially  in  those  twenty-five  years  of  it 
which  were  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  State  in  travelling  through 
New  England  and  the  West.  And  had  a  certain  distinguished  func- 
tionary in  a  sister  State  possessed  the  eai'ly  advantages  which  I  enjoyed 


141 

in  this  respect,  his  government  would  probably  have  never  been  saddled 
with  that  notable  charge  o^  fifty  cents  for  mending  his  inexpressibles. 

I  remember  also  to  have  served  a  temporary  apprenticeship  with 
a  silversmith,  whose  shop  stood  just  north  of  the  Episcopal  Chui-ch. 
It  is  not  unlikely  that  I  should  have  gone  on  to  eminence  in  tliis 
sterling  trade  had  I  persevered  in  it ;  but  a  mishap  turned  the  cur- 
rent of  my  life.  In  an  evil  hour,  as  I  was  pouring  some  moulten 
brass  into  a  wet  mould,  my  eves  became  thoroughly  closed  for  sev- 
eral months — and  ever  after,  upon  that  avocation. 

Like  all  New  England  boys,  who  are  bred  to  face  the  world,  I 
learned  the  several  mysteries  of  farming,  gardening,  store  keeping, 
and  "  doing  chores,"  and  I  think  I  may  say  it,  without  boasting,  I 
acquitted  myself  in  all  with  honor,  if  not  distinction. 

When  I  look  on  those  rocks  and  mountains  at  the  East,  and  upon 
Bare-Hill  in  the  West,  they  stand  associated  with  recollections  of 
my  boyhood  in  Woodbury — I  remember  with  the  vividness  as  of 
yesterday,  when,  in  the  autumn  and  winter,  with  my  box  traps,  I 
caught  two  or  three  rabbits  a  night,  and  when,  at  the  close  of  tlie 
trapping  season,  I  marched  proudly  with  my  furs  to  John  Clarke,  the 
Hattei\  And  even  in  tlie  height  of  his  prosperity,  John  Jacob  Astor 
never  returned  from  Columbia  river  to  the  New  York  market  with 
his  cargo  of  furs,  more  elated  with  success,  than  I,  with  my  cargo 
under  my  arm,  to  the  Pomperaug  market. 

In  gazing  upon  these  mountains  and  wooded  hills,  (about  the  only 
things  around  me  which  continue  as  they  were,)  I  remember,  and  it 
is  a  pleasant  recollection — of  having  cut  and  drawn  home  upon  my 
hand-sled,  both  from  the  East  Rock,  and  from  Bare-Hill,  numerous 
loads  of  fire-wood.  Thus  industrious  habits  and  an  active  life, 
coupled  with  that  self-dependence  which  I  learned  as  an  early  les- 
son, enabled  me  to  face  my  destiny,  and  to  work  my  way  in  the 
world  with  a  fair  measure  of  success. 

With  the  aid  and  instruction  of  the  best  of  motliers,  and  with  such 
educational  facilities  as  the  neighborhood  afforded,  at  an  early  period 
I  entered  a  College,  where  in  a  few  short  years,  I  was  prepared 
for  my  future  life,  and  graduated  with  due  honors. 

Do  you  inquire,  what  was  the  name  of  this  College — where  it  was 
located — and  who  was  its  President  ?  Its  catalogue,  I  believe,  was 
never  published — or  if  published,  it  was  like  other  things  of  that 
sort,  in  an  unhnowii  tongue.  When  translated  into  our  modern 
phrase,  it  would  be  called  The  People's  College.  Its  President 
in  my  day  was  Lemuel  Reed.  The  College  edifice,  which  was  about 
17 


142 

fifteen  feet  square,  more  or  less,  (probably  the  latter,)  was  located  on 
the  side  of  the  street  below  us,  neai'ly  in  front  of  your  historian's 
residence.  After  finishing  my  course  at  a  "  Select  School "  for  a 
short  time,  I  entered  the  family  of  Hon.  Nathan  Preston,  where  I 
remained  for  five  years ;  and  your  town  and  Probate  records  from 
1796  to  1801  will  furnish  you  some  standing  testimonies  in  black  and 
wliite,  that  I  rendered  the  town  and  its  officers  some  service  before 
I  left  it. 

While  in  the  family  of  Judge  Preston,  I  read  law  under  Noah  B. 
Benedict,  Esq.,  for  about  a  year,  when  I  emigrated  to  Litchfield,  and 
there,  in  the  office  of  Ephraim  Kirby,  Esq.,  and  of  Judge  Reeve, 
completed  my  legal  studies,  and.was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1805. 

As  to  the  subsequent  lines  of  my  history,  and  the  record  of  some 
things  that  I  have  done — but  not  of  much  that  I  have  said,  (for  I 
have,  especially  in  modern  times,  been  more  of  an  acting  than  a  talk- 
ing man,)  behold  they  are  written  in  the  book  of  Cothren,  your 
Historian. 

Thus  at  the  risk  of  wori'ying  your  patience,  and  of  incuri'ing  the 
charge  of  egotism,  I  have  run  over  that  portion  of  my  history  which, 
including  the  first  twenty  years  of  my  life,  was  passed  in  this  my 
native  town,  and  properly  belongs  to  it. 

And  now  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  threescore  years  since  my  emigra- 
tion, I  return  to  the  home  of  my  youth,  and  find  myself  for  the  most 
part,  a  stranger  among  strangers.  I  can  recognize  only  here  and  there 
a  familiar  countenance  in  this  spacious  sea  of  faces  ;  and  there  are 
very  few  in  this  multitude  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Woodbury, 
who  recognize  me. 

And  now  in  conclusion,  permit  me  to  inquire  : 

Where  are  my  cotemporaries  ? 

Where  are  my  class-mates  of  the  Pomperaug  College  ? 

Where  are  the  twenty-two  students  of  that  sister  College,  which 
stood  at  the  base  of  Masonic-Hall- Rock,  in  which  I  was  preferred  to 
a  tutorship  in  1798  ?  Your  worthy  President  is  the  only  one 
now  present. 

Where  are  the  thirteen  young  lads,  of  whom  I  was  one,  who  in 
1796  planted  a  liberty-pole  on  that  same  rock,  and  celebrated  the 
twentieth  anniversary  of  our  National  Independence  ?  Here  is  the 
original  list  of  their  names  in  my  hand,  with  the  bill  of  expenses 
amounting  to  bs.  2d.,  sterling. 

Wliere  are  the  eighteen  young  ladies,  who,  with  those  young  men 
on  the  evening  of  that  day,  more  than  sixty  years  ago,  attended  the 


143 

Ball  at  Cunningham's  Hall  ?  From  the  original  list  befoi-e  me,  not 
one  appears  to  be  present. 

"Where  are  the  many  friends  and  acquaintances  whom  I  left  here 
in  1801? 

With  the  exception  of  the  Minors,  Judsons,  and  Atwoods,  who 
are  stereotyped  in  the  town's  accounts,  where  are  the  ancient  families 
of  Ancient  Woodbury  ? 

I  can  answer  as  to  my  own  family,  who  were  all  here  in  force  when 
I  emigrated,  that  the  name  of  Beers  has  become  extinct  in  the 
town ;  and  all  that  now  remains  here  of  the  Beers  blood  has  flowed 
back  into  a  branch  of  my  mother's  family,  and  the  name  is  lost  in 
that  of  Preston. 

The  annals  of  my  father's  family  are  for  the  most  part  to  be  found 
upon  the  monuments  in  yonder  grave-yard.  With  the  exception  of 
myself,  the  solitary  remainder  of  a  generation  that  has  passed  away, 
and  a  few  descendants  of  my  sister,  all  are  gone.  Having  reached 
that  extreme  point  in  human  life  which  is  close  upon  fourscore  years, 
though  still  in  the  enjoyment  of  health  and  strength,  and  hardly 
feeling  in  its  full  weight  the  burden  of  my  years — for  which  I  bless 
God,  and  am  thankful, — I  cannot  but  feel  that  my  coming  hither  on 
this  occasion  is  as  a  bringing  together  the  two  ends  of  the  line,  and  a 
making  up  of  the  circle  of  my  history.  Farewell.    • 

"The  Early  Physicians  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  David 
B.  W.  Hard,  M.  D.,  of  Bethlem,  Conn. 

It  is  a  very  pleasant  thing  to  pass  in  review,  a  succession  of  kind 
and  benevolent  deeds.  And  if  the  aspect  of  human  suffering  is  not 
agreeable  to  look  upon ;  yet  the  efforts  made  by  the  benevolent,  the 
kind  hearted,  and  the  capable,  to  mitigate  and  relieve  it,  draw  invol- 
untarily from  the  human  heart,  the  aspiration,  God  bless  you  ! 

Such  has  always  been  the  mission  of  the  physician  in  ancient 
times,  as  well  as  at  the  present.  But  the  matter  uppermost  in  our 
minds  to-day  is,  thosfe  ancient  men  who  first  peopled  this  pleasant 
valley,  and  who,  by  degrees,  pushed  their  homes  as  so  many  out-posts, 
among  these  loveliest  of  New  England  hills. 

"  The  early  physicians  of  Ancient  Woodbury,"  is  the  sentiment 
just  announced  in  our  hearing,  and  I  now  purpose  making  a  few  ob- 
servations respecting  them. 

And  I  will  remark  here,  that  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  there  is  so 
little  of  their  particular  and  individual  history  left  remaining  to  us. 


144 

I  have  lately  made  some  search  in  this  direction,  but  without  much 
result.  The  printed  page  of  their  history  is  brief  and  general,  and 
oral  tradition,  which  was  so  rich  a  store,  has  within  the  last  ten  or 
twelve  yeai's,  been  almost  wholly  lost,  owing  to  the  successive  removal 
from  among  us  of  those  old  men  who  had  it  in  their  keeping.  The 
current  of  time  has  swe^^t  it  away  from  us  ;  but  like  as  other  currents 
that  once  existed  in  the  natural  world,  in  a  former  age,  long  since  past, 
have  left  behind  them  their  history  sculptured  in  the  bosom  of  the 
living  rock  ;  so  with  these  men,  their  history  as  it  has  been  passing 
from  among  us,  has  worn  for  itself  channels  in  our  memories,  which 
will  not  be  easily  effaced.  If  their  particular  and  individual  history 
is  somewhat  obscure,  their  general  history  remains,  and  it  is  of  this 
I  shall  speak. 

Intimately  associated  with  my  earliest  remembrance,  are  certain 
names,  which  when  spoken  in  my  hearing,  always  at  that  time  im- 
pressed me  with  the  profoundest  degree  of  veneration  and  respect. 
These  were  the  names  of  certain  physicians,  who  once  lived  within 
the  ancient  limits  of  this  town  ;  and  truly  may  it  be  said  of  them, 
"  that  a  man's  works  follow  him  ;"  for  such  is  the  repute  they  have 
left  behind  them,  it  would  clearly  indicate  that  one  of  two  things  must 
be  true,  either  that  they  were  greatly  over-rated,  or  they  were  truly 
men  of  enlarged  and  elevated  attainments  in  their  profession. 

If  we  concede  it  to  be  a  fact,  that  the  cotemporaries  of  these  men 
were  their  best  judges,  and  that  that  judgment  has  been  expressed 
in  the  traditionary  history  that  has  come  down  to  us,  then  we  have 
unqualified  assurance,  that  as  physicians,  these  men  ranked  in  their 
profession  among  the  first  and  chiefest  men  in  the  Colony  or  State. 

In  reviewing  their  history,  we  find  them  prominently  employed  in 
the  public  offices  of  the  town ;  forward  and  public  spirited  during  the 
revolutionary  struggle  ;  elected  to  the  office  of  surgeon  in  the  army, 
and  discharging  the  duties  of  this  office  with  untiring  fidelity,  to  a  de- 
gree that  attracted  the  attention  of  the  commander-in-chief,  so  that 
on  some  of  them,  Washington  bestowed  tokens  of  his  special  appro- 
bation ;  and  in  their  public^  as  well  as  their  private  calling,  these  men 
seem  to  have  filled  to  the  full,  the  measure  of  their  useful  lives. 

From  the  best  sources  of  information  extant,  it  would  appear  that 
no  physician  accompanied  the  first  settlers  in  the  valley  of  the  Pom- 
peraug,  and  how  soon  one  may  have  arrived  afterward,  does  not  ap- 
pear. The  earliest  date  of  such  physician's  residence  here,  set  down  in 
Cothren's  History  of  Woodbury,  is  1701.     And  it  would  appear  from 


145 

whatever  information  I  can  gather,  touching  this  matter,  that  the  first 
settlers  resided  here  without  a  competent  medical  adviser,  for  a  period 
of  about  twenty  years.  And  it  is  probable  that  the  early  pioneers 
depended  more  for  their  physical  well  being,  upon  good  constitutions 
and  temperate  living,  than  upon  that  cunning  subtlety  of  man's  in- 
vention, known  as  the  science  of  medicine. 

But  luxury  has  ever  crept  into  the  most  simple  and  primitive  of 
all  civilized  communities  ;  and  so  in  this  instance,  we  find  it  a  matter 
of  history,  that  in  1701,  the  settlement  in  Woodbury  were  indulging 
in  the  luxury  of  a  resident  physician. 

From  this  time  onward,  I  find  an  unbroken  succession  of  intelli- 
gent, distinguished,  and  worthy  men,  regularly  trained  and  inducted 
into  their  profession,  according  to  the  custom  of  those  times,  residing 
not  only  in  Woodbury,  but  in  Bethlem,  Judea,  Roxbury  and  South- 
bury. 

I  said  they  were  trained  and  inducted  into  their  profession  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  of  those  times.  Those  splendid  universities  of 
medical  learning  at  Edinburgh,  at  London,  and  at  Paris,  which,  like 
planets  of  the  first  magnitude,  shed  their  light  over  the  civilized 
world,  were  too  remote,  and  too  expensive,  for  the  poor  student  of 
this  western  wilderness.  But  their  healing  streams  reached  him,  and 
he  drank  deep  from  their  fountains  of  wisdom. 

The  mode  pursued  at  that  time  to  acquire  the  knowledge  and  the 
qualifications,  which  made  the  physician,  was  this :  the  candidate 
entered  the  office  of  some  one  already  high  and  distinguished  in  the 
profession  ;  an  ample  library  furnished  the  knowledge ;  and  the  stu- 
dent learned  to  apply  that  knowledge  by  accompanying  his  preceptor 
when  he  visited  the  sick.  And  in  this  mode  acquiring  such  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  profession,  and  such  degrees  of  excellence  and  attainment 
were  often  reached  in  the  end,  that  it  frequently  occurred  that  the 
savans  of  our  own  Yale  Colleg^e  spontaneously  conferred  upon  him 
the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  in  Medicine. 

We  see  then  that  the  standard  of  learning  among  the  physicians 
of  Ancient  Woodbury  was  not  low,  but  that  here  in  the  wilderness, 
medical  learning  took  root,  grew,  and  flourished  like  the  gigantic  oaks 
it  dwelt  among. 

It  was  among  such  men  as  these,  that  our  Connecticut  Medical  So 
ciety  had  its  origin  ;  and  this  medical  society,  from  its  first  inception, 
moved  steadily  onward,  and  did  not  tix'e,  till  they  had  instituted  and 
founded  the  medical  institution  of  Yale  College. 

These  men  felt  an  inexpressible  contempt  for  that  impudent  and 


146 

vulgar  pretence,  which  characterizes  the  quack,  who  is  too  lazy 
to  work,  too  ignorant  to  be  employed  in  any  of  the  occupations  of 
mind,  but  feels  within  himself  a  peculiar  talent  to  fatten  on  the 
creduhty  of  that  portion  of  the  community,  whose  love  of  the  won- 
derful and  the  marvelous,  eclipses  their  understanding,  and  obscures 
their  common  sense. 

I  have  hitherto  spoken  of  these  men  collectively,  and  I  feel  an  un- 
willingness to  individualize  them,  making  distinctions  among  them, 
pointing  to  the  excellences  of  some,  and  the  defects  of  others.  My 
desire  is  to  pay  that  tribute  io  them  all  which  is  their  due.  And  yet 
it  is  difficult  to  pass  silently  by  such  names  as  Perry  in  Woodbury, 
Hawley  and  Meigs  in  Bethlem,  Fowler  in  Judea,  Eastman  in  Rox- 
bury,  and  Graham  in  Southbury.  We  have  inherited  these  names, 
among  the  cherished  traditions  that  have  come  down  to  us  from  our 
ancestors.  These  men  were  highly  appreciated  by  the  cotemporary 
inhabitants  among  whom  they  dwelt.  They  were  all  of  them  men 
who  "  went  about  doing  good,"  sympathizing  with  the  afflicted  and  the 
suffering.  And  their  sympathy  was  of  that  kind  which  takes  to  it- 
self form  and  action,  and  which  manifests  itself  in  benevolent  deeds. 

We  read  in  a  history  of  the  highest  authority,  that  a  man  living  in 
an  eastern  country,  started  to  go  to  the  town  of  Jericho,  that  he  fell 
among  thieves,  was  beaten,  and  left  for  dead.  Sundry  persons,  one 
of  whom  was  a  priest,  even,  saw  him  lying  there,  bleeding  and  dying, 
but  they  all  passed  by  on  the  other  side.  At  length  a  certain  Samar- 
itan passed  that  way,  saw  him,  and  had  compassion  on  him,  dressed 
his  wounds,  sat  him  on  his  own  beast,  brought  him  to  an  inn,  and 
took  care  of  him. 

A  thousand  generations  since  then,  have  lived  and  passed  away, 
and  the  act  in  the  scene  just  described,  has  touched  the  hearts  of  all ; 
and  all  have  united  in  bestowing  upon  him  the  surname  of  the  "  Good 
Samaritan." 

I  have  alluded  to  this  scene  in  sacred  history,  that  it  might  assist 
us  here  to-day,  to  realize  the  character  and  practical  lives  of  those,  in 
behalf  of  whose  memory  I  am  endeavoring  to  gain  a  hearing.  I 
would  draw  back  the  curtain  that  has  fallen  between  them  and  our- 
selves, that  we  may  once  more  gain  a  few  transient  glimpses  of  these 
practical  Good  Samaritans. 

Stricken  down  by  disease,  or  crushed  to  the  earth  by  accident,  man 
feels  in  his  heart,  "alas,  what  is  to  become  of  me  !"  And  while  the 
community  at  large,  engrossed  in  their  own  pursuits,  pass  by  on  the 


147 

other  side,  these  good  Samaritans,  the  physicians  of  Ancient  Wood- 
bury, did  up  their  wounds,  and  took  care  of  them. 

Did  I  hear  some  one  say  they  were  paid  for  it  ?  True,  my  friend, 
compensation  sometimes  followed ;  but  appeals  to  their  charitable 
offices  were  unremitted,  almost  every  day  in  the  year,  and  like  good 
Samaritans,  they  responded  to  those  appeals.  And  if  they  were  so 
well  paid,  where  are  those  ample  estates  left  behind  them  after  their 
own  decease  ?  Echo  answers — where  !  Let  us  honor  these  men, 
and  do  justice  to  their  memories ;  for  in  doing  so,  we  do  honor  to  our 
own  human  nature. 

In  tliose  days  of  practical  good  sense,  almost  every  household  had 
their  family  physician.  Once  chosen  to  be  physician  of  the  family, 
he  usually  remained  so  until  his  own  decease  occurred.  This  resulted 
in  an  incalculable  amount  of  good,  for  the  physician  felt  a  permanent, 
a  continued,  an  abiding  interest  in  the  family.  And  he  gained  an  ac- 
curate knowledge  of  those  varied  peculiarities,  which  have  so  much 
to  do  in  modifying  disease.  And  from  the  opportunity  that  was  al- 
lowed him,  these  varied  peculiarities  which  will  assume  dilFerent 
forms  in  different  families,  became  to  him  subjects  of  study  and  scru- 
tiny ;  and  in  consequence  of  his  knowledge  thus  gained,  he  would 
often  relieve  their  sickness  as  if  it  had  been  done  by  a  power  of 
magic. 

The  confidence  between  physician  and  family,  was  mutual,  and  the 
kind  feelings  reciprocal.  Wherever  he  was  called,  he  felt  himself  at 
home  ;  and,  in  turn,  was  regarded  almost  as  one  of  the  family. 

And  in  those  desperate  struggles  with  acute  disease,  where  all  the 
resources  within  him  were  called  forth,  he  felt  as  much  joy  in  his 
own  success,  as  the  parent  did  in  the  recovery  of  his  child.  But 
when  disease  gained  the  mastery,  and  the  patient  succumbed  under 
it,  it  was  a  way  this  people  had,  to  take  an  early  opportunity  to 
manifest  to  him  that  they  appreciated  the  exertion  he  had  put  forth, 
and  that  their  confidence  and  friendship  remained  unimpaired.  They 
knew  that  it  was  appointed  unto  man  once  to  die,  and  that  a  last  sick- 
ness must  come  to  each  one  of  them. 

The  physical  features  of  a  country,  the  climate,  and  surrounding 
scenery,  have  much  to  do  in  forming  national  and  individual  char- 
acter. Effeminacy,  slothfulness,  ease,  and  luxury,  are  in  a  great 
degree  characteristic  of  the  people  living  between  the  tropics. 

And  this  is  especially  the  case,  in  those  delightful  islands,  and 
Eden-like  gardens  of  the  continents,  where  nature  provides  sponta- 
neously for  the  physical  wants  of  man. 


148 

Ancient  Woodbury,  however,  did  not  lie  between  the  tropics ;  there 
was  no  effeminacy  here,  save  that  which  sat  with  the  most  winning 
gracefulness,  upon  the  persons  of  our  then  young  and  matronly 
grandmothers. 

Neither  was  there  ease  here  ;  except  that  necessary  rest  and  repose 
which  alternated  with  diligent  labor.  And  their  greatest  luxury  was 
a  good  appetite,  which  enabled  them  to  take  that  sustenance  which 
sustained  them  in  their  unremitted  employments. 

Ancient  Woodbury  was  then  studded,  and  canopied,  with  the  pri- 
meval forest ;  there  was  a  dignity  in  its  stateliness,  and  a  solemn 
grandeur  in  the  deep-toned  music  which  accompanied  the  swaying 
movement  of  its  waving  branches.  The  streamlets,  the  rivulets,  and 
the  rivers,  flowed  then  with  fuller  banks  in  their  shaded  channels, 
than  they  do  now,  exposed  to  the  direct  glare  of  the  solar  rays  ;  and 
their  rushing,  murmuring  echoes,  mingled  in  unison  with  the  wood- 
land music.  The  Pomperaug  flowed  then,  as  now,  through  this 
pleasant  valley  ;  and  as  they  looked  beyond  it,  on  either  hand,  bold 
and  rugged  outlines  were  elevated  to  the  view.  Near  at  hand,  were 
abrupt  and  perpendicular  cliffs,  and  where  the  eye  could  extend 
beyond  these,  more  distant  summits  overtopped  the  nearer  hills. 

All  this  was  in  unison  with  the  stout  hearts  that  first  made  them- 
selves a  home  in  this  valley  ;  and  it  was  among  this  people,  and 
among  these  scenes,  that  the  physician  of  Ancient  Woodbury 
imbibed  those  elevated  qualities  that  were  so  conspicuous  in  his 
career.  He  could  not  help  but  feel  and  think  ;  and  those  feelings 
and  those  thoughts  took  their  mould  and  form  from  the  magnitude  of 
the  objects  which  surrounded  him.  Among  an  inferior  people,  and 
tamer  scenery,  these  physicians  would  have  been  inferior  in  their 
profession,  and  inferior  as  men ;  for  the  thoughts  and  actions  of 
every  living  man  take  color  and  form  from  their  associations,  and 
their  sun-oundings. 

But  both  physician  and  patient  filled  here  the  full  measure  of  their 
allotted  time,  and  both  have  passed  onward,  on  the  eternal  journey. 
And  it  would  be  to  us  to-day,  a  matter  of  interesting  speculation, 
(having  in  view  the  signs  of  the  times,)  whether  it  is  probable,  that 
after  another  two  hundred  years  have  passed,  the  descendants  of  those 
who  now  people  the  territory  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  assembled  here, 
perhaps,  to  celebrate,  as  we  do  to-day,  will  point  to  us,  in  our  varied 
callings,  and  invoke  an  honor  and  a  blessing  on  our  memories  ;  or, 
whether  they  will  go  beyond  where  we  go  to-day,  for  merit  to 
applaud,  and  deeds  to  commend. 


149 

Now,  perhaps,  some  will  inquire  of  me,  What  kind  of  doctors 
were  these  physicians  of  Ancient  Woodbury  ?  Were  they  steam  and 
Lobelia  doctors  ?  Were  they  Homoeopathic,  infinitesimal  doctors  ? 
Were  they  "  Ingin  "  doctors  ?  Were  they  Eclectic  doctors  ?  Were 
they  Root  doctors  ?  Were  they  Stick  doctors  ?  Were  they  Hygeian 
doctors?  Were  they  Graffenberg  dSctors  ?  Were  th^y  Mineral 
doctors  ?  Were  they  "Apotacary "  doctoi-s  ?  Were  they  Cancer 
doctors  ?  And  did  they  know  how  to  set  bones  ?  And  when  they 
cured  any  body,  did  not  they  always  do  it  with  Brandreth's  pills  ? 

I  will  endeavor  to  make  answer  to  these  interrogatories,  by  re- 
plying : 

That  2320  years  ago,  a  man-child  was  born  in  the  Island  of  Cos, 
whose  name  was  Hippocrates.  Eighteen  of  his  ancestors,  counting 
backward  in  an  unbroken  line,  had  been  famous  in  curing  disease. 
At  the  head  of  this  line  of  eighteen,  stood  iEsculapius,  his  great 
ancestor,  whom  the  ancients  called  the  Father  of  Physic.  On  his 
mother's  side,  he  was  said  to  have  been  descended  from  Hercules. 
Occupying  this  advantageous  position,  and  inheriting  the  hereditary 
talent  of  his  family,  he  applied  himself  with  great  assiduity,  to  the 
observation  and  study  of  disease.  His  efforts  were  attended  with 
the  most  marvelous  results.  Truth  seems  to  have  led  him  by  the 
hand,  while  he  extorted  from  nature  her  hidden  laws.  Previous  to 
his  time,  what  was  known  of  the  art  of  healing,  existed  in  a  state  of 
chaos.  He  brought  order  out  of  this  confusion,  and  forever  estab- 
lished system  and  method,  and  for  more  than  six  hundred  years,  the 
ancient  civilized  world  were  cured  of  their  infirmities  after  the  man- 
ner taught  by  Hippocrates.  And  so  deeply  sensible  were  they,  of 
the  benefit  he  had  conferred  upon  mankind,  that,  after  the  manner  of 
those  times,  they  exalted  him  into  a  Deity,  and  erected  to  his  honor 
and  his  worship,  temples,  and  statues,  and  altars  smoking  with 
incense.  And  if  ^sculapius  was  the  father,  Hippocrates  was  the 
great  founder  of  the  healing  art.  His  was  the  great  nucleus  around 
which,  each  later  century  has  contributed  and  garnered  a  rich  har- 
vest of  truth ;  until  now,  at  the  present  time,  the  science  of  medicine 
comprehends  within  its  boundaries,  a  knowledge  of  the  natural 
sciences,  unknown  to  any  other  calling  in  civilized  life.  On  every 
part  of  this  globe,  wherever  we  meet  with  civilized  man,  whatever 
be  his  nation,  or  his  language,  it  is  by  this  same  science  of  medicine, 
that  the  sick  is  treated  for  his  disease. 

It  was,  then,  to  this  school  of  medicine,  that  the  physicians  of 
Ancient  Woodbury  belonged.  They  were  trained  disciples  in  the 
18 


150 

school  of  Hippocrates.  This  will  answer  the  question,  "  what  sort  of 
doctors  they  were  ?  "  And  you  will  permit  me  here  to  remark,  that 
the  divers  other  sorts  of  doctors  are  the  mushrooms  and  the  toadstools, 
growing  upon  the  outside  borders  of  the  healing  art. 

And  now,  may  the  mantle  of  the  physicians  of  Ancient  "Woodbury 
descend  upon  the  physicians  of  modern  Woodbury,  who,  in  practical 
attainment,  I  hope,  if  possible,  may  eclipse  even  their  lustre.  May 
the  sympathy  uniting  them  with  the  people  among  whom  they  dwell, 
be  like  that  which  existed  in  olden  time.  May  Atwood,  the  Wood- 
bury physician  of  1859,  remember  he  is  descended  from  Atwood  the 
Woodbury  physician  of  1701.  And  may  the  Web*  of  attainment 
among  them  all,  both  practical  and  scientific,  always  Shove*  forth 
their  curing  and  healing  instincts  ;  and  may  the  usefulness  and  pro- 
fessional success  of  each,  mark  him  as  a  Fairchild*  and  lineal  de- 
scendant of  their  great  ancestor,  Hippocrates. 

"The  Founders  op  Ancient  Woodbury,"  by  Hon.  Wil- 
liam T.  Minor,  of  Stamford,  a  grandson  of  Woodbury. 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

It  has  given  me  great  pleasure  that  I  have  been  able  to  accept  the 
invitation  of  your  committee  and  be  present  with  you  to  join  in  these 
commemorative  services.  Since  my  arrival  here  last  Saturday 
afternoon,  from  what  I  have  seen  and  heard,  I  have  been  somewhat 
disposed  to  doubt  my  own  identity.  I  am  inclined  to  the  opinion 
that  I  ought  to  have  been  "  Deacon  Minor."  1  rather  think  I  ought 
to  have  been.  I  am  certain  that  if  I  had  been,  and  discharged  faith- 
fully the  duties  appertaining  to  that  office,  I  should  have  been  a  much 
better  man  than  at  present ;  but  as  I  am,  it  has  long  been  a  cherished 
wish  of  my  heart,  to  visit  the  home  of  my  ancestors  ;  to  look  at  the 
spot  which  gave  them  birth,  at  the  playgrounds  of  their  childhood,  at 
the  old  school-houses  in  which  their  education  was  commenced,  and 
in  many  instances,  finished,  at  the  fields  cultivated  in  their  middle 
age,  at  the  houses  which  sheltered  their  old  age,  at  the  churches 
where  they  ever  worshipped,,  and  at  the  grave-yards  where  now 
rest  all  of  their  mortal  remains.  Until  now  the  active  business  of  life 
has  prevented  the  accomplishment  of  that  wish.  I  only  regret  now, 
as  I  look  upon  your  beautiful  hills  and  valleys,  and  partake  of  your 
generous  hospitality,  that  duty  has  been  so  long  neglected.  One  of 
the  most  obvious  reflections  forcing  itself  upon  the  mind,  as  the  eye 
passes  over  the  immense  concourse  here  assembled,  is,  what  numbers 

*  Names  of  the  physicians  at  present  residing  and  practicing  in  Woodbury. 


153 

of  the  descendants  of  ancient  Woodbury,  have  come  together  here, 
from  all  parts  of  our  common  country ;  the  merchant  from  his  count- 
ing room,  the  mechanic  from  his  work-shop,  the  farmer  from  his  field, 
the  professional  man  from  his  office,  the  authoress  from  her  study, 
bringing  with  her  poetical  garlands  all  green  and  fresh — all  leaving 
behind  the  active  stirring  scenes  of  life,  some  to  clasp  the  hand  of 
living  friends,  fondly  welcoming  them  ;  others,  to  drop  a  tear  over  the 
graves  of  departed  ones — all  to  cortimemorate  the  virtues  of  the 
founders  of  Woodbury. 

Although  I  mingle  with  you  but  as  a  grandchild,  of  this  good  old 
town,  yet  I  doubt  not  my  appreciation  of  its  growth  and  pi'osperity 
will  be  as  true,  and  my  relish  for  these  exercises  as  keen  and  hearty, 
as  of  the  children  and  immediate  heirs ;  from  all  of  us  a  tribute  of 
admiration  and  respect  is  equally  due  to  the  virtues,  the  true  nobility 
and  the  undying  energy  of  its  founders. 

We  shall  fail  properly  to  appreciate  the  character  of  the  founders 
of  ancient  Woodbury,  unless  we  look  at  the  circumstances  under 
which  they  were  educated  and  prepared  to  become  pioneers  in  the 
settlement  of  the  new  world.  In  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  the  English  throne  was  filled  by  James  I.  Under  his  reign 
religious  persecution  was  carried  to  such  an  extent,  that  very  many 
of  the  best  citizens  of  England,  to  avoid  stripes,  imprisonment  and 
even  death,  were  driven  into  exile.  At  first  their  attention  was  turned 
to  Holland,  where  they  went  in  1608,  and  remained  until  1620,  from 
whence  they  sailed,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  that  year  landed  "  upon 
the  stern  and  rock-bound  coast "  of  Plymouth.  James  I.  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  son,  Charles  I.  Under  the  latter,  the  same  persecu- 
tions which  had  characterized  the  reign  of  the  former,  were  coutin- 
tinued  in  a  more  aggravated  form.  Tyranny  and  oppression  were 
used  not  only  to  destroy  religious  freedom  but  also  to  blot  out  from 
the  English  constitution,  all  the  guarantees  furnished  by  that  instru- 
ment to  the  citizen  for  the  enjoyment  of  personal  libei'ty  and  the 
rights  of  property.  For  twelve  years,  from  1628  to  1640,  the  sove- 
reign will  of  Charles  I.,  despotically  exercised  without  a  parliament, 
ruled  the  kingdom.  In  1640,  just  about  the  time  when  that  parlia- 
ment was  assembling,  between  which  and  Charles  I.,  civil  and  relig- 
ious liberty  on  one  side,  and  despotism  on  the  other,  that  mighty 
contest  was  waged,  which  terminated  in  the  trial  and  execution  of 
the  monarch.  Another  band  of  exiles  from  England,  fleeing  fi-om 
persecution,  landed  in  Massachusetts  and  joining  with  some  of  the 
old  Plymouth  pilgrims,  turned  their  faces  westward  and  settled  at 


152 

Stratford.  Here  all  remained  until  religious  dissensions  springing 
up  among  them,  the  smaller  number  desirous  of  peace,  in  1659, 
started  out  into  the  wilderness  to  look  out  new  homes.  This  explor- 
ation brought  them  to  Woodbury,  and  thus,  in  a  sliort  time  after- 
wards, was  the  settlement  of  ancient  Woodbury  effected. 

From  what  I  know  of  their  descendants  of  the  present  day,  I  am 
inclined  to  think,  that  in  this  respect,  we  differ  essentially  from  our 
ancestors.  I  have  no  doubt,  that  although  very  peaceable  when  not 
quarreling,  we  should  have  remained  at  the  old  place,  and  fought  it 
out,  hoping  in  time  to  become  the  majority. 

Let  us  for  a  moment  pause  and  contemplate  the  settlers  as  they 
took  up  their  march  into  the  wilderness,  yet  untrodden  by  the  foot 
of  Christian  man.  They  had  assisted  in  the  formation  of  one  settle- 
ment, by  the  waters  of  Long  Island  Sound.  Here  they  had  planted 
their  Church,  erected  their  school-houses,  and  built  the  rude  log-hut 
fo]'  the  protection  of  themselves  and  their  little  ones.  A  difference 
of  opinion  upon  some  matter  of  religious  doctrine,  was  about  sepa- 
rating them ;  the  small  party  conceiving  that  their  mission  had  not 
been  accomplished ;  feeling  that  entjre  freedom  of  opinion  in  all  mat- 
ters of  conscience  were  the  great  aim  of  their  lives ;  wishing  them- 
selves to  enjoy  that  freedom  unalloyed  by  the  harsh  and  discordant 
jarrings  of  dissent  and  disagreement,  and  willing  that  all  others 
should  enjoy  the  same  freedom  unrestricted  by  any,  save  the  com- 
mands of  their  great  Creator.  See  them  starting  out  to  explore  the 
trackless  forest !  They  had  been  well  fitted  in  the  school  of  perse- 
cution, to  become  the  pioneers  of  settlement ;  all  those  traits  of  char- 
acter, both  mental  and  physical,  so  necessary  to  endure  the  hard- 
ships of  frontier  life,  had  been  largely  developed  by  the  circum- 
stances surrounding  their  childhood  and  middle  life  ;  some  of  them 
fresii  from  the  persecutions  which  were  so  rapidly  driving  their  na- 
tive country  into  bloodshed,  revolution  and  liberalism  ;  others,  among 
the  first  settlers  at  Plymouth,  altogether  stalwart,  stern,  high  minded, 
God  fearing  men  and  women  ;  they  possessed  a  sturdy  independence 
of  character,  which  caused  them  ever  to  hate  oppression,  an  undying 
energy  which  prompted  them  to  enter  upon  the  trackless  forest,  and 
a  faith  true  and  steadfast,  that  their  Almighty  Father  would  lead  them 
by  safe  paths  to  their  homes  afar  ofi"  in  the  wilderness.  Follow  them 
in  their  journey,  until  at  last,  about  thirty  miles  from  their  homes 
on  the  top  of  Good  Hill,  the  hardy  band  first  catch  a  view  of  the 
beautiful  valley  now  enriched  by  the  taste  and  wealth  of  their  de- 


153 

scendants.  Then  first,  since  creation's  morn,  did  the  primeval  old 
forests  resound  with  hymns  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  the  true 
God.  Never  before  had  their  quiet  been  disturbed,  save  by  the  howl- 
ing of  wild  beasts  and  the  song  of  the  ruthless  savage,  now  fiercely 
exciting  passions  by  their  discordant  war  whoop,  again  chanting  the 
death-song  of  some  great  brave  who  had  gone  to  the  hunting  ground 
of  the  great  unknown.  Here  then,  our  ancestors,  after  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  the  advantages  of  the  country,  settled.  Their  first 
care,  after  rudely  providing  for  the  safety  and  protection  of  their 
families,  was  to  pi'ovide  a  place  for  the  worship  of  God.  Their  first 
house  was  a  temple  not  built  with  hands,  whose  floor  was  the  broad 
earth,  whose  canopy  was  heaven's  high  vault,  whose  altar  and  pulpit 
was  Bethel  rock.  Here,  until  they  were  enabled  to  provide  another, 
for  Sunday  after  Sunday,  they  assembled  for  worship,  carrying  in 
their  hearts  a  certain  faith,  that  their  great  Father  would  protect 
them  from  all  harm,  and  in  their  hands  the  trusty  musket,  lest  per- 
chance, the  cunning  Indian  might  attack  them.  They  were  the  men 
from  whom  Cromwell  might  at  any  time  have  I'ecruited  his  famous 
regiment  of  Ironsides  ;  they  ever  trusted  in  God  and  kept  their  pow- 
der dry.  Here  upon  principles  drawn  from  the  Great  Creator,  given 
by  inspiration  from  God  to  man,  did  the  founders  of  Woodbury  estab- 
lish a  government  for  themselves,  making  provision  also  for  the  edu- 
cation of  their  posterity.  Neither  could  their  own  consciences  accuse 
them  of  having  violated  the  rights  of  others  in  making  their  location 
and  settlement  for  whatever  of  right  or  title  the  primitive  Indian  might 
have  possessed  to  the  soil,  every  portion  of  that  right  and  title  was 
fairly  and  honorably  extinguished.  Oh  that  some  of  the  same  stern 
hatred  of  wrong  and  oppression,  and  love  of  right  that  characterized 
the  early  settlers  of  this  good  old  town,  might  be  infused  into  the 
men  of  the  present  day,  and  that  the  latter  would  learn  and  under- 
stand, that  the  great  principles  of  right  and  justice  of  that  great  char- 
ter upon  which  was  founded  the  government  of  our  ancestors,  can  not 
be  departed  from  and  violated  any  more  by  nations  than  individuals, 
with  safety  to  themselves  and  their  interests.  Long  since  have  the 
founders  of  Woodbury  gone  to  their  rest.  One  after  another  have  they 
obeyed  the  summons  brought  by  the  celestial  messenger  from  the 
heavenly  city,  and  with  them  have  gone  too  many  of  their  stern  traits 
of  character. 

In  the  historical  address  given  yesterday,  your  honored  historian 
alludes  to  a  certain  social  custom  with  reference  to  marrying  and  giv- 
ing in  marriage  in  the  instance  of  John  Minor,  Jr.,  the  son  of  John 


154 

the  settler,  an  ancestor  of  mine.  Upon  this  point  I  can  speak  with 
confidence,  from  experience,  and  say  that  no  such  custom  prevails 
among  his  descendants  at  the  present  day.  If  you  are  disposed  to 
doubt,  ask  a  certain  lady  who  accompanied  me  here,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  that  she  will  inform  you  that  an  example  established  more  than 
five  thousand  years  ago  by  Jacob,  who  served  fourteen  years  for  Eachel, 
furnished  a  rule  by  which  a  service  any  where  up  to  fourteen  years 
was  required  before  the  hoped-for  yes  was  spoken.  But  when  asking 
the  question,  I  beg  you  for  all  the  world  not  to  hint  that  I  have  allu- 
ded to  the  matter,  lest  another  term  of  service  should  be  required. 

Let  us  now  look  at  some  of  the  results  of  the  principles  so  early 
established  by  them, 

I  doubt  if,  when  the  first  settlement  was  made  at  Woodbury,  or  at 
any  of  the  first  settlements  of  New  England,  the  settlers  contempla- 
ted a  separation  between  themselves  and  the  mother  country,  and  that 
they  were  to  be  the  founders,  in  the  new  world,  of  a  mighty  republi- 
can empii-e.  Yet,  when  from  the  stand  point  of  the  present,  we  care- 
fully contemplate  these  men  establishing  government  upon  principles 
of  religious  toleration,  and  making  provision  for  common  education, 
exacting  in  the  enforcement  of  right,  stern  in  the  punishment  of  vice 
and  the  putting  down  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  laying  the  founda- 
tions broad  and  deep  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.  We  feel  that  the 
American  revolution  and  the  establishment  of  this  government,  were 
but  the  culmination  of  their  principles.  Religious  toleration,  com- 
mon education,  and  as  a  necessary  result  of  these,  a  free  press,  are 
the  three  main  pillars  of  republicanism.  All  the  acts  of  the  pilgrim 
settlers  of  New  England  were  tending  to  these  results,  a  thousand 
causes  were  all  along  silently  at  work,  so  that  they  can  hardly  be 
traced,  except  in  their  grand  result,  a  republican  empire.  If  the  spir- 
its of  those  good  old  men,  who,  one  hundred  years  ago,  stood  on  Good 
Hill,  surveying  the  prospect  before  and  about  them,  could  be  brought 
back  to-day,  and  placed  upon  the  exact  spot  where  first  they  looked 
upon  the  valley  of  Woodbury ;  if  they  could  look  upon  these  side 
hills,  all  luxuriant  with  vegetation,  these  valleys  all  dotted  over  with 
beautiful  residences ;  if  they  could  hear  the  hum  of  industry  from 
mountain  top  and  valley,  and  above  all,  could  they  look  upon  this 
immense  concourse  of  their  descendants,  prosperous,  happy  and  con- 
tented ;  if  their  view  could  be  extended  over  the  thirty-three  States 
of  this  confederacy,  teeming  with  a  population  everywhere  busy  and 
active,  just  now  engaged  in  commemorating  the  birth-day  of  the  gov- 
ernment whose  protecting  power  guarantees  to  all  its  citizens  life,  lib- 


] 


155 

erty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness,  they  would  feel  that  their  first 
prayer  offered  up  in  this  then  wilderness,  had  become  prophecy,  and 
that  their  great  faith  had  been  more  than  realized  in  its  results. 
Such  were  our  ancestors,  the  founders  of  Woodbuiy ;  they  did  well 
the  work  allotted  for  them  to  do,  each  in  his  own  sphei-e.  Erect  foi* 
them  the  monumental  stone !  Cherish  well  their  memory  in  your 
hearts  ;  above  all,  guard  with  fidelity  their  principles  which  you  have 
inherited,  that  on  our  government  may  be  inscribed  "  JSsto  perpetua." 
A  word  more,  and  I  have  done.  It  is  said  that  communities,  as 
individuals,  when  they  commence  to  exist,  commence  to  die.  With 
reference  to  this,  I  will  close  with  offering  the  sentiment — 

Woodbury. — Its  head-stones  in  1659,  may  its  foot-stones  be  in 
eternity. 

The  whole  audience  then  united  in  singing,  with  great  enthusiasm, 
the  following 

ODE. 

BY    MRS.   ANN    S.    STEPHENS. 

Tune — "  America." 

All  hail  our  brothers,  friends  ! 
Each  heart  a  welcome  sends — 

Come  neighbors,  come ! 
Meet  where  your  fathers  dwelt ; 
Kneel  where  our  mothers  knelt ; 
Think  how  they  toil'd  and  felt, 

In  the  old  home. 

Two  hundred  years  ago, 

Old  men,  with  heads  of  snow. 

Bared  to  the  breeze, 
'Mid  a  wild  Indian  band — 
By  the  red  council  brand — 
Grasped  the  proud  chieftain's  hand, 

Under  the  trees. 

Soon  the  log  cabin  stood. 
Deep  in  the  hemlock  wood, 

Hid  by  its  green  ; 
Sons  rose  to  aid  the  sire, 
Bed  shone  the  "  fallow  fire," 
Up  rose  the  rustic  spire. 

Peaceful,  serene. 


156 

As  forest  leaves  are  shed, 
All  round  a  silent  bed, 

Under  the  sod ; 
There  foUow'd  sire  and  son. 
Each  when  his  race  was  run, 
And  all  his  work  was  done, 

Going  to  God. 

If  angels  wander  by, 

When  hearts  beat  warm  and  higii, 

Our  sires  are  here  ; 
Thankful  that  liberty 
Has  set  their  children  free — 
Smiling  with  sympathy. 

Gladness  and  cheer. 

Sons  of  that  pilgrim  few  ! 
Souls  that  are  firm  and  true  ! 

Hail  ye  tlie  day  ! 
Our  union  is  glorious, 
Our  strength  all  victorious, 
God  reigneth  over  us, 

Praise  Him  alway ! 

Speech. — "The  Early  Schools  of  Ancient  Woodbury," by- 
Thomas  Meritt  Thompson,  A.  M.,  of  Woodbury. 

Mr.  Thompson,  on  being  called,  appeared  upon  the  edge  of  the 
stage,  with  a  small  piece  of  manuscript  in  his  hand,  which  he  rapidly 
tore  up,  saying,  if  he  had  a  written  speech,  such  should  be  its  fate  at 
the  outset ;  then,  turning  to  the  chair,  he  said  : 

Mr.  President  : — Three  or  four  days  ago  there  appeared  on  this 
ground  a  tent,  and  arrangements  for  public  speaking.  At  about  the 
same  time  a  programme  was  put  into  my  hands,  in  which  I  found,  to 
my  dismay,  that  I  was  put  down  for  a  speech.  I  know  this  tent.  It 
is  the  Yale  College  tent.  Its  associations  seemed  to  seal  my  mouth, 
and  impose  on  me  silence.  I  have  for  years  been  a  regular  pilgrim 
to  the  .shadows  of  this  tent.  As  a  devout  worshiper  at  the  shrine  of 
my  Alma  Mater,  under  it  I  have  long  been  accustomed  to  listen  to 
words  of  wisdom  as  dispensed  by  wiser,  better,  older  men,  in  whose 
presence  T  know  only  to  be  silent.  I  seem  to  see,  near  the  pole  in 
the  center,  the  venerable  and  venerated  form  of  President  Day ;  and 
as  if  to  keep  up  the  illusion,  I  see  before  me,  on  the  stage,  Profes- 
sors Knight  and  Button.  Under  these  circumstances,  sir,  I  came  up 
here  this  afternoon,  feeling  hopelessly  bankrupt  for  a  speech. 


157 

But,  Sir,  our  very  recklessnes.s  sometimes  serves  us.  It  is  so  with 
me  to-day.  I  think  I  know  wliy  I  am  wanted  here.  As  my  good 
luck  will  have  it,  you  want  just  at  this  period,  a  man  who  can  make 
a  speech  inside  of  ten  minutes.  [Applause.]  I  am,  then,  the  man 
for  the  occasion.  I  am  going  to  show  you  how  the  thing  is  done,  so 
that  at  future  centennials  all  may  know  how  to  make  ten  minutes' 
speeches.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  I  will  not,  however,  be  too 
boastful.  I  am  still,  in  more  senses  than  one,  overshadowed  by  this 
College  tent.  I  observe  that  it  is  rent ;  (pointing  to  a  large  rent  in 
the  canvass.)  It  is  unlike  my  speech — in  that  you  will  find  no  holes, 
for  it  has  never  been  stitched  together. 

Mr.  President ;  I  am  not  a  native  of  "Woodbury.  I  feel  as  if  I 
was  a  trespasser ;  yet  I  heartily  thank  the  Committee  for  assigning 
me  a  part  here.  I  am  ingrafted  stock,  but  I  have  taken  some  root, 
and  once  before,  I  believe,  I  took  occasion  to  say,  that  on  this  very 
ground  I  had  made  a  mark  that  nothing  but  an  earthquake  can  ef- 
face. I  am  not  a  native  ;  but  like  the  Irish  gentleman  who  told  the 
elder  Adams  he  liked  the  country  so  well  he  was  going  to  become  a 
native  !  So  I,  whatever  may  have  been  my  previous  hesitation,  beg 
to  say  that  I  like  the  looks  of  the  people  assembled  here  to-day,  and 
am  going  hereafter  to  be  a  native.  Put  me  down  for  a  native ! 
Henceforth,  my  energies,  heart  and  soul,  are  with  the  "Woodbury 
people. 

I  remember  the  first  Woodbury  man  I  ever  saw.  I  shall  show 
him  to  you  before  I  am  through.  You  will  not  wonder  why  I  chose 
"Woodbury  as  a  place  of  settlement  when  I  tell  you  I  took  him  for  a 
sample  of  the  people.  He  is  the  man  who  honors  and  adorns  our 
noble  festival,  our  glorious  centennial  as  its  presiding  officer.  May 
I  be  permitted  to  say,  if  I  have  put  forth  any  diligence  that  entitles 
me  to  stand  here  to-day  in  the  presence  of  princes,  yea,  of  kings  and 
more  than  kings,  I  owe  it  to  words  of  encouragement  graciously 
spoken  by  him  long  years  ago — "  Beardsley,  what  a  smart  boy  you 
have  got ! " 

Mr.  President,  it  is  to  me  the  central  point  of  interest  in  the  whole 
occasion,  to  meet  you  here.  I  am  filled  with  emotion.  The  date  of 
the  time  I  allude  to  scares  me.  My  memory  is  tenacious  of  dates, 
and,  I  will  give  it.  It  was  in  the  fall  of  1828.  Oh  !  the  record  of 
thirty  years  on  me  and  on  you  !  It  has  carried  me  along  from  the 
boy  of  scarce  ten  summers,  to  the  meridian  of  life.  It  has  carried 
you  along  from  the  dark  hair  and  bloom  of  the  man  of  thirty,  to  the 
twilight  gray  of  life's  evening.  God  grant  that  this  evening  may  be 
19 


158 

as  long,  as  calm,  as  happy,  as  your  life  has  been  exemplary,  beauti- 
ful, and  useful.  [Amen !  from  all  the  elderly  gentlemen  upon  the 
stage-] 

But,  sir,  it  was  assigned  as  my  part  to  respond  to  "  The  Early 
Schools  of  Ancient  Woodbury." — Here,  sir,  at  the  outset,  I  take 
grounds  of  open  rebellion  against  the  Committee  who  imposed  this 
part  on  me — I  will  not  make  a  speech  upon  it.  To  speak  of  the 
schools  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  is  to  speak  of  the  Puritan  schools,  a 
subject,  I  take  it,  needing  no  illustration  from  me.  The  Puritan- 
schools  have  long  since  gained  the  acknowledgment  of  being  the 
main  human  agency  in  the  immense  moral  force  exhibited  by  New 
England  throughout  her  whole  past  history.  Their  influence  has 
gone  forth  like  streams  in  the  desert,  to  make  glad,  and  bless  hu- 
manity. The  noble  men  and  women  in  all  the  higher  walks  of  hu- 
manity, for  long  generations,  have  been  a  standing  comment  upon 
the  early  schools.  Though  I  decline  to  go  into  this  question  at  large, 
I  will  add,  as  a  casual  remark,  that  the  early  schools  had  vastly  the 
advantage  over  those  of  our  day.  Then  they  had  few  books,  and 
learned  them  well.  The  result  was  a  thoughtful,  sedate,  prudent 
race  of  men.  In  our  time,  in  the  huge  multitude  of  school-books, 
and  in  our  eagerness  to  learn  everything  in  the  shoi'test  time,  we 
learn  nothing  well.  The  result  is,  our  people  are  rattle-brained, 
empty-headed,  inconsiderate.  [Applause  and  laughter.]  It  is  time 
for  us  to  consider,  whether  as  a  people  we  are  not  wofully  the  losers, 
when  for  the  material  activity  which  characterizes  our  age,  we  so 
freely  barter  intellectual  vigor,  and  moral  force. 

But,  Mr.  President,  if  the  Committee  did  show  a  weakness  in 
appointing  me  to  speak  on  the  subject  assigned  me,  they  have  more 
than  compensated  for  it  in  the  precautions  they  have  taken  to  guard 
the  audience  from  the  infliction  upon  them  by  me,  of  a  dull,  prosy 
speech.  This,  they  have  most  eifectively  done.  To  make  aH  sure 
on  this  point,  and  to  have  the  stage  promptly  cleared,  they  have 
placed  behind  me,  (pointing  to  Hon.  Chas.  Chapman,)  the  sharpest 
man  in  Connecticut ;  a  warning  I  shall  take  good  care  to  heed  ;  for 
as  I  came  on  the  stage  with  a  sort  of  crawling  sensation,  in  view  of 
the  many  reasons  why  I  should  not  speak,  so  I  already  feel  a  pricking 
sensation,  and  hurry  oflf  the  stage,  lest  I  should  be  actually  impaled! 
[Makes  a  hasty  exit,  amidst  roars,  shouts,  and  explosions  of  laughter.] 


159 


SPEECH    OF  HON.  CHARLES    CHAPMAN,  OF  HARTFORD,  A  GRANDSON 
OF  WOODBURT. 

Mr.  Chapman  next  responded  to  the  sentiment,  *'  The  Grand- 
children OF  Ancient  Woodbury,"  substantially  as  follows : 

Having  been  called  to  respond  to  the  toast  last  announced,  I  ought 
perhaps  to  imitate  the  example  of  the  politicians,  and  "  define  my 
position."  The  nearer  we  can  approach  to  the  common  grandmother, 
on  this  occasion,  the  better  pleased  we  are ;  but,  truth  to  tell,  1  am 
but  a  great-grandson  of  "Ancient  Woodbury."  The  difference,  how- 
ever, may  be  of  minor  importance,  (if  the  Governor  will  excuse  the 
use  of  the  word  in  that  sense,)  inasmuch  as  all  the  grandchildren  are 
great  grandchildi'en  to-day. 

There  is  in  the  human  heart  an  instinctive  love  for  the  place  of 
one's  nativity.  The  youth  who  leaves  the  paternal  roof  to  seek  his 
fortune  elsewhere,  keeps  the  old  homestead  in  view,  toils  on  to  ac- 
quire a  competency,  and  when  he  has  achieved  the  end  for  which  he 
has  labored  many  years,  returns  to  the  place  of  his  birth,  re-pur- 
chases the  paternal  acres,  which  have  passed  into  other  hands,  and 
real's  a  more  expensive  edifice  upon  the  spot  where  the  old  mansion 
stood.  He  adorns  and  beautifies  the  old  farm,  enriches  the  old  fields,  ■ 
plants  hedges  where  the  old  walls  stood,  and  calls  the  place  by  a 
fancy  name. 

Of  a  kindred  character  is  the  regard  which  one  feels  for  the  home 
of  his  more  remote  ancestors,  the  spot  where  the  family  took  root  in 
the  then  new  world.  This  sentiment  will  show  itself  in  various  ways. 
It  "  crops  out,"  (in  the  language  of  the  miners,  I  mean  the  miners  in 
metals,)  from  time  to  time,  and  on  this  occasion  may  be  observed 
upon  every  hand.  The  remote  descendants  of  the  early  settlers  in 
this  lovely  valley  are  here  in  great  numbers,  and  others  residing  in 
distant  regions  have  sent  their  contributions  to  this  festival  in  letters, 
relics,  and  touching  sentiments. 

I  have  been  commissioned  by  one  of  these  descendants  to  present 
to  the  town  of  Woodbury  some  tokens  of  his  regard,  which  I  trust 
you  will  carefully  preserve  in  the  archives  of  the  town.  I  will  read 
to  you  my  "  Power  of  Attorney,"  (excuse  the  language  of  the  pro- 
fession,) and  when  you  hear  that,  and  the  name  of  the  man  from 
whom  it  comes,  you  will  regret  with  me,  that  he  can  not  be  heard 
from  this  stand,  upon  an  occasion  so  well  suited  to  his  tastes  as  this 
is.     You  will  recognize  in  him  the  historian  of  Hartford,  the  author 


160 

of  the  life  and  times  of  the  elder  Governor  Trumbull,  who  was  the 
"  Brother  Jonathan  "  of  Revolutionary  memory,  and  the  author  of 
the  life  of  Nathan  Hale.  An  accomplished  scholar,  an  industrious 
antiquarian,  and  an  orator  of  surpassing  ability,  he  Avould  have  added 
another  charm  to  these  festivities, 

Hartford,  July  1st,  1859. 
Hon.  Charles  Chapman: 

Dear  Sir — In  compliance  with  your  solicitation,  I  take  pleasure 
in  sending,  through  you,  some  memorials  for  the  forthcoming  celebra- 
tion of  the  settlement  of  Ancient  Woodbury.  They  are,  a  piece  of 
the  wood  of  the  far-famed  Charter  Oak,  a  view  of  this  Monarch 
Tree  as  it  looked  in  life,  and  a  view  of  it  as  it  looked  in  death,  the 
morning  after  it  fell.  It  was  within  the  period  of  the  birth  of  Wood- 
bury— but  a  few  years  only  after  the  Stileses,  and  Curtises,  and 
Skinners,  and  Judsons,  and  Minors,  first  settled  there — that  Sir 
Edmund  Andros  made  his  impotent  attempt  to  seize  and  invalidate 
that  noble  Charter  under  whose  folds  Samuel  Sherman  and  his  asso- 
ciates obtained  liberty  from  the  General  Court  "  to  erect  a  plantation 
at  Pomperauge  " — and  those,  the  eaily  dwellers  there — in  common 
with  the  Colonists  of  Connecticut  at  large — rejoiced,  then  in  the 
olden  time,  in  that  gnarled  old  Oak,  which  protected  their  Constitu- 
tion of  government,  and  saved  their  liberties — liberties  which  have 
never  since  been  overthrown — but  which — consecrated  by  the  sacri- 
fices and  services  of  her  sons  in  the  councils  and  on  the  battle-fields 
of  the  Union — are  now,  thank  Heaven,  "  imperishable  and  impreg- 
nable." 

Pleasant,  therefore,  I  have  thought  it  would  be  to  the  descendants 
of  the  first  settlers  of  AYoodbury,  to  receive  the  particular  memorials 
which  I  commit  to  your  charge.  A  thousand  interesting  historic 
associations  cluster  around  them.  They  vividly  renew  the  Past. 
They  point  to  an  heroic  age  for  Connecticut.  They  should  incite 
jjatriotic  emotion.  They  should  teach  us  all  to  love  and  honor  our 
State  as  it  has  loved  and  honored  us. 

I  am  myself,  Sir,  a  descendant,  in  the  fourth  generation,  of  that 
worthy  and  distinguished  divine,  who,  for  nearly  sixty  years,  minis- 
tered in  Ancient  Woodbury — the  Rev.  Anthony  Stoddard — and  I 
therefore  feel  a  special  gratification  in  the  fact  that  the  birth  of  this 
town  is  to  be  duly  celebrated,  and  that  you  Sir — one  of  its  grand- 
sons— are  to  mingle,  actively,  in  the  "  high  festival."  Few  munici- 
palities in  Connecticut  can  point  to  a  more  historic  past  than  Wood- 


161 

bury.  Its  Indian,  civil,  ecclesiastical,  and  Revolutionary  life — so 
admirably  portrayed  by  its  historian,  Wm.  Cothren,  Esquire — place 
it  among  the  first  of  our  towns,  and  justify  its  good  repute.  That 
the  celebration  in  which  its  citizens  propose  to  indulge,  may  prove 
gratifying  to  themselves — may  call  up  gladdening  memories — may 
glow  with  the  spirit  of  patriotism — and  augment  their  love  for  their 
venerable  and  happy  home,  is  the  hearty  wish  of. 

Yours  truly, 

I.  W.  STUART. 

[Then  Mr.  Chapman  exhibited  the  block  from  the  Charter  Oak — 
the  picture  of  the  tree  as  it  appeared  when  standing,  and  after  it  was 
prostrated  by  the  storm.] 

There  are  others,  and  many  others,  who  are  neither  inhabitants  of 
Woodbury,  nor  descendants  of  those  who  were,  who  feel  a  deep 
interest  in  its  history,  and  in  these  festivities,  which  mark  the  two 
hundredth  anniversary  of  the  exploration  of  this  valley.  Your 
industrious  and  talented  fellow-citizen,  William  Cothren,  Esq.,  has 
done  much  to  create  and  foster  this  interest,  by  his  carefully  prepared 
work — a  work  that  does  honor  to  him  and  to  you,  and  which  is  a 
most  valuable  contribution  to  the  history  of  our  State. 

Our  own  poetess,  who  is  the  poetess  of  Connecticut,  joar  excellence, 
has  committed  to  my  hands  a  little  "  gem  of  purest  ray  serene  "  from 
her  casket  of  jewels,  which  she  has  authorized  me  to  present  to  you 
on  this  occasion.  She  rejoices  in  your  history,  as  you  do  in  her  well- 
earned  fame.  Like  another  eminent  lady  who  went  from  among  you 
in  her  youth,  {Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens,)  and  who  has  contributed  to 
this  Festival  by  her  presence  and  by  her  pen,  she  has  risen  to  her 
enviable  position  in  the  world  of  letters  by  her  own  merit.  Long 
may  she  live  to  entertain  us  by  her  works,  and  teach  us  by  her 
example. 

RETURN  TO  WOODBURY. 

Back  to  the  hills  by  summer-breezes  courted, 

Back  to  the  ancient  roof,  the  shaded  plain, — 
Back  to  the  play-ground  where  their  fathers  sported, 

The  summon'd  children  turn  their  course  again. 

And  as  the  Fountain  loves  the  tuneful  voices 

Of  her  far  streamlets,  whereso'er  they  tend. 
And  at  the  echo  of  their  fame  rejoices 

When  nobly  with  the  ocean-tide  they  blend, — 


162 

So  this  fair  Region, — rich  in  vales  and  waters, 

Swells  with  maternal  pride  her  flowery  zone 
At  this  re-union  of  her  sons  and  daughters, — 

And  in  their  well-earned  honor  finds  her  own. 

L.    H.    SiGOURNEY. 

Hartford,  June  28th,  1859. 

There  is  another  of  the  other  sex,  who  is  bound  to  you  by  no  tie, 
but  who  has  yielded  to  my  request,  and  sent  a  sparkling  contribution 
to  this  intellectual  banquet.  He  may  be  known  to  some  of  you  as  a 
regular  contributor  to  the  Knickerbocker,  and  as  an  occasional  cor- 
respondent of  some  of  the  journals  in  this  State.  He  would  enjoy 
this  scene,  were  he  present,  and  for  his  sake  and  yours,  I  regret  his 
absence.  I  suppose  I  ought  to  tell  you  who  he  is.  He  is  one  of  my 
fellow-citizens,  who  deals  in  iron  for  gain,  and  courts  the  muses  for 
fun — brimful  of  mirth  and  with  a  wit  that  is  keener  than  a  Damas- 
cus blade.  He  is  a  living  refutation  of  the  truth  of  a  paragraph  in 
Hudibras,  to  the  effect  that 

"A  man  of  quick  and  active  wit 
For  drudgery  is  more  unfit, 
Compared  to  those  of  duller  j^arts. 
Than  running  nags  to  draw  in  carts." 

Alike  a  man  of  business  and  a  poet,  success  attends  his  efforts  in  both 
departments. 

Our  friends,  the  Clergy,  who  have  figured  so  largely  and  so  suc- 
cessfully in  these  exercises,  will  pardon  the  spice  of  levity  which  may, 
by  a  careful  examination,  be  detected  in  the  verses  which  I  am  about 
to  read.  Yes,  I  know  they  will.  I  see  it  in  their  benevolent  faces, 
and  I  remember,  too,  that  the  holidays  of  the  Clergy  are  "  few  and 
far  between,"  and  I  am  persuaded  that  they  enjoy  this  to  the  very 
top  of  their  heart. 

But  it  is  time  I  should  tell  you  the  name  of  my  friend  who  has 
been  so  kind  to  us  all.  It  is  George  H.  Clark,  and  here  is  what  he 
sends  "  greeting,"  as  the  Lawyers  say : 

Geo.  H.  Clark's  Woodbury  Centennial  Poem. 

Mysterious  notes  were  abroad  on  the  air — 
Significant  hints  of  some  weighty  aff'air : 
Rumors  increased  till  they  rose  to  a  shout, 
And  now  we  all  see  what  the  stir  was  about. 


163 

Ye  modest  admirers,  who've  nothing  to  say, 
Make  room — for  spread  eagle  is  coming  this  way, 
We  stand,  as  it  were,  in  our  forefathers'  shoes. 
And  the  time  for  tall  talking's  too  precious  to  lose. 

Here  frolicsome  age  shall  grow  young  at  the  coi  e. 
And  youth  shall  strike  hands  with  the  boys  of  threescore  : 
Brim  full  of  good  feeling — Oh  !  call  it  not  folly — 
We've  assembled  on  purpose  to  laugh  and  be  jolly. 

Ye  attorneys — turn  over  a  holiday  leaf ; 
The  facts  are  before  you — and  here  is  the  brief ! 
So  give  us  as  much  as  you  please  of  your  jaw, 
But  don't,  if  you  love  us,  don't  let  it  be  law. 

Ye  grave  Boanerges — who  thunder  at  sin. 
Let  your  features  relax  to  a  good  natured  grin  : 
Pretermit  theological  chafing  and  chat. 
And  talk  about  buttercups,  birds,  and  all  that. 

Forget,  0  my  friends,  in  this  glorified  hour. 

The  Parson  who  vanquished  that  dreadful  pow-wow-er ; 

But  remember  the  Backus  and  Bellamy  jokes, 

And  up  and  be  merry  like  rational  folks. 

Sink  the  shop,  O  ye  trader  in  dry  goods,  to-day, — 
Just  look  at  the  prospect  right  over  the  way  ! 
Don't  the  sight  of  the  Pomperaug  hills  and  green  valleys 
Beat  all  your  gay  patterns  on  muslins  and  challies  ? 

Ye  medical  men — whose  dreams  are  of  drugs. 
Omit  for  a  while  your  professional  shrugs  : 
Give  the  go-by  to  boluses,  blisters,  and  nux. 
And  think  of  the  dandelions,  daisies,  and  ducks. 

Ye  farmers — the  nearest  to  Nature's  own  breast. 
Who  draw  from  her  stores  what  her  children  love  best; 
Who  irradiate  towns  with  fresh  butter  and  cheese. 
And  tickle  our  palates  with,  lamb  and  green  peas  ; 

We  remember  your  haymows  so  fragrant  in  June  ; 
Your  pumpkins,  as  large  and  as  round  as  the  moon ; 
The  green  corn  we  roasted  and  ate  on  the  sly, 
And  the  rye  'n  'ndian  bread,  and  the — Oh  !  let  us  cry ! 

It  makes  my  mouth  water  to  talk  of  such  things, — 

The  truth  is,  you  farmers  are  Nature's  own  kings  : 

And  the  queens  ! — would  you  see  the  true  test  of  their  worth  ? 

Just  look  at  those  boys  !  aren't  they  proud  of  their  birth  ? 


164 

Of  course,  we'll  remember,  and  speak  of  with  pride, 
Seth  Warner,  and  others  who  fought  by  his  side  : 
And  grand  Ethan  Allen — the  hero  all  over — 
Who  conquered  Fort  Ti,  in  the  name  of  Jehovali ! 

Historians  assert  that  you  'd  only  one  witch — 
But  history  makes  an  unfortunate  hitch  ; 
For  witches  still  flourish — as  witness  these  groups  ! 
Though  for  halters  and  faggots  you  substitute  hoops. 

Then  a  health  to  old  Woodbury — merry  or  grave — 
And  long  in  the  land  may  her  progeny  wave. 
Nor  forget  where  their  excellent  grandmothers  sleep, 
While  their  own  little  babies  are  learning  to  creep. 

Now,  my  friends,  I  have  disposed  of  all  the  props  upon  which  I 
have  relied  to  sustain  me  in  the  event,  that  my  own  thoughts  should 
fail.  I  am  left  to  my  own  resources,  and  begin  to  be  apprehensive 
that  you  may  be  mirthfully  inclined  when  I  am  serious,  and  serious- 
ly disposed  when  I  am  gay.  Topics  were  plenty,  yesterday  morning, 
but  in  the  two  days'  speaking  they  have  been,  for  the  most  part,  used 
up.  All  the  leading  features  in  your  history  have  been  passed  in 
review.  Those  men  who  have  distinguished  themselves  most  among 
you  have  also  been  already  noticed.  Of  some  of  them  too  much 
could  hardly  be  said.  First  and  foremost  among  the  intellectual 
giants  in  our  State,  was  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  who  was  born 
and  lived,  until  his  death,  within  the  ancient  limits  of  this  town.  He 
was  indeed  a  great  man.  Without  the  advantages  of  early  culture, 
he  worked  his  way  to  the  front  rank  of  the  legal  profession,  at  a  period 
when  the  ablest  men,  who  have  been  known  in  the  courts  of  this  State, 
were  in  full  practice.  He  stood  among  them  primus  inter  pares.  As 
an  advocate  he  had  great  power,  and  his  efforts  were  attended  with 
marked  success.  At  a  later  period  he  was  an  ornament  to  the  Bench, 
and  has  left  a  record  upon  the  pages  of  our  Reports  of  which  the 
worthy  President  here,  (his  son)  may  well  be  proud. 

I  must  be  indulged  in  saying  a  few  words  of  another  member  of 
the  profession  who  has  recently  passed  away.  He  was  one  of  the 
originators  of  this  celebration,  and  one  of  the  Committee  to  carry 
out  the  plan  adopted  a  year  ago.  The  vacant  chair  upon  the  stage 
draped  in  mourning,  reminds  us  of  him,  who,  had  he  lived,  would 
have  mingled  in  these  festivities  with  a  keen  relish.  Pie  (the  Hon. 
Charles  B.  Phelps,)  was  a  man  of  genius,  and  a  highly  respectable 
member  of  the  Bar.     A  ready  debater,  he  was  always  equal  to  the 


165 

emergency  of  an  occasion.     He  had  a  keen  wit  and  overflowed  with 
humor. 

"A  merrier  man 
Within  the  limit  of  becoming  mirth, 
I  never  spent  an  hour's  talk  withal." 

He  had  moreover  a  kind  heart,  which  displayed  itself  on  all  suit- 
able occasions,  and  long  will  he  be  remembered  for  his  many  good 
deeds.     You  will  hardly  "  look  upon  his  like  again." 

You  will  pardon  me  for  speaking  a  word  of  another  gentleman  of 
another  profession,  who  has  long  since  gone  to  his  rest.  I  mean  the 
Rev.  John  R.  Marshall,  who  was  the  first  Episcopal  clergyman  in  this 
town.  He  was  an  eminently  good  man,  and  much  beloved  by  those  to 
whom  he  ministered  in  holy  things.  He  planted  a  vine  here  which  he 
carefully  nurtured  while  he  lived,  and  which  flourishes  now  in  full 
vigor.  He  closed  his  ministry  here  with  the  termination  of  his  life, 
leaving  behind  him  many  blessed  fruits,  "Allured  to  brighter  worlds 
and  led  the  way." 

There  are  many  others  who  have  distinguished  themselves  here  in 
the  different  professions,  and  many  who  have  gone  from  among  you,  and 
distinguished  themselves  elsewhere,  who  deserve  to  be  mentioned  on 
this  occasion  did  time  permit.  There  have  been  too,  very  many 
equally  worthy  and  estimable  men,  who  never  attained  to  any  par- 
ticular prominence  in  the  eye  of  the  world,  men  who  pursued  the 
noiseless  tenor  of  their  way,  but  who  have  done  their  share  in  build- 
ing up  your  institutions,  and  in  making  this  valley  bud  and  blossom. 
They  were  the  fathers  and  grandfathers  of  many  whom  I  see  before 
me,  and  this  gathering  attests  the  interest  which  their  posterity 
feel  in  their  memory.  While  the  blood  of  some  of  them  courses  in 
the  veins  of  their  deoendants,  their  names  have  become  extinct  among 
you.  This  is  true  of  the  names  of  my  maternal  grandfather  and. 
grandmother,  (Perry  and  Beers,)  names  once  well  and  favorably 
known  here.  One  of  the  latter  name  {Hon.  S.  P.  Beers,)  has  ad- 
dressed you  to-day,  but  he  has  resided  elsewhere  for  more  than  half 
a  century.  From  his  account  of  himself,  nearly  seventy  years  ago 
he  had  the  ambition  to  sit  cross-legged  upon  a  tailor's  bench,  but 
because  perhaps  (in  the  language  of  the  old  song,)  "  the  money  came 
slowly  in,"  he  concluded  to  pursue  the  legal  profession,  supposed  by 
some  to  be  more  productive.  It  would  seem  from  his  statement  that 
he  is  now  an  old  man,  which  from  his  full  head  of  brown  hair  (which 
I  envy,)  and  his  youthful  appearance  we  should  all  doubt,  had  we 
not  confidence  in  his  veracity,  and  did  we  not  know  that  he  had  been 
20 


166 

the  popular  commissioner  of  the  School  Fund  since  the  earliest  rec- 
ollection of  the  "oldest  inhabitant."  The  sons  of  many  have  emi- 
grated to  other  portions  of  the  country,  and  thus  have  their  names 
become  extinct  here.  The  daughters,  although  eminently  worthy  o^ 
trust  in  all  other  particulars,  cannot  be  relied  upon  to  bear  up  a  name. 
In  this  particular,  however  honest  they  may  be,  they  resemble  the 
most  practiced  rogues.  They  are  with  now  and  then  a  solitary  (not 
to  say  melancholy  exception,)  in  search  of  an  alias,  and  are  quite 
sure  to  find  and  adopt  it,  I  have  always  wondered  why  they  mark 
their  linen  with  their  maiden  names.  Nearly  two  days  have  been 
spent  here  in  glorifying  our  grandfathers.  But  there  has  been,  as 
there  now  is,  a  "better  half"  of  humanity,  of  whom  I  have  heard 
nothing  said.  I  marvel  that  such  an  omission  could  have  occurred 
in  such  a  presence.  A  "  mutual  admiration  society,"  composed  ex- 
clusively of  men,  I  confess  is  not  to  my  taste.  We  have  heard  mucti 
about  great  men — good  men — valiant  men — self-taught  men,  and 
about  "  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men."  It  has  been  from  the  be- 
ginning— men — men — men ;  nothing  but  men.  Had  they  no  mothers-- 
no  wives  ?  Men  have  indeed  fought  the  battles  of  the  country  ;  felled 
the  forest  ti'ees  ;  tilled  the  earth,  and  toiled  in  the  different  professions 
and  trades.  But  woman  has  toiled  too  amid  dangers  which  appalled 
the  stoutest  hearts.  She  has  braved  suffering  in  its  countless  forms, 
such  as  woman  only  knows,  and  submitted  to  privations  with  a  patient 
meekness  of  which  woman  is  alone  capable.  In  the  early  settlement 
of  the  country,  the  mother  nursed  and  reared  her  own  children ;  was 
mistress  and  servant ;  carded  the  wool ;  spun  it  into  yarn,  and  made 
it  into  cloth.  She  was  her  husband's  and  boy's  tailor,  her  own  and 
her  daughter's  milliner  and  mantua-maker ;  and  in  a  word,  discharged 
every  domestic  duty  unaided.  It  is  not  strange  that  such  women 
should  have  reared  such  sons  as  we  have  been  boasting  about  here 
for  two  days. 

Let  us  do  fitting  honors  on  this  occasion  to  the  female  character. 
Every  man  who  has  risen  to  distinction  in  any  of  the  walks  of  life, 
is  indebted  to  his  mother  for  those  traits  of  genius  which  he  inherited 
from  her,  and  those  habits  of  thinking  and  of  action,  which  are  the 
result  of  her  early  teaching. 

"  The  mother,  in  her  office,  holds  the  key 
Of  the  soul :  and  she  it  is  who  stamps  the  coin 
Of  character,  and  makes  the  being  who  would  be  a  savage, 
But  for  her  gentle  cares,  a  Christian  man — " 

How  dear  to  us  is  the  sacred  name  of  motlier  I     She  it  was  whose 


167 

loving  care  and  ceaseless  vigilance  protected  and  nurtured  us  in  help- 
less infancy.  We  learned  from  her  those  earliest  lessons  which  are 
most  deeply  impressed  upon  our  memories,  and  which  time  does  not 
obliterate.  Our  recollections  of  a  mother's  love,  a  mother's  care,  a 
mother's  patience,  and  a  mother's  forgiveness  of  our  faults,  freshen 
and  become  more  and  more  tender,  as  our  shadow  lengthens  upon  the 
dial.     It  is  to  her  that  we  owe  all  that  we  are  and  all  we  hope  to  be. 

T  might  speak  of  woman  in  the  relation  of  wife,  and  of  the  love, 
respect,  and  kindness  which  she  deserves  as  such.  She  is  sought 
and  won,  forsakes  father  and  mother,  and  cleaves  unto  the  husband. 
With  an  amazing  confidence,  she  entrusts  her  happiness,  her  all,  in 
his  hands.  She  shares  his  sorrows,  participates  in  his  joys,  labors 
for  his  advancement,  and  occupies  the  position  in  life  in  which  his 
success  or  misfortune  may  place  her.  If  we  loved  her  when  seeking 
an  alliance,  how  much  more  tenderly  should  we  feel  toward  her, 
when  she  has  committed  herself  to  our  fostering  care,  and  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  our  children. 

There  is  still  another  relation  in  which  I  might  speak  of  woman. 
I  mean  as  daughters.  None  but  fathers  know  aught  of  the  emotions 
of  a  father's  heart  toward  them.  With  what  solicitude  do  we  watch 
their  growth  and  development.  With  what  intense  interest  do  we 
gaze  upon  their  budding  beauty,  and  varied  accomplishments.  With 
what  tender  affection  do  we  cling  to  them,  and  how  they  wind  them- 
selves about  our  hearts.  And  then,  endeared  to  us  as  they  are,  and 
in  the  flush  and  beauty  of  their  youth,  we  are  called  to  relinquish 
them  into  other  hands,  as  their  mothers  were  relinquished  to  us. 
Then  we  know  for  the  first  time,  what  the  yielding  to  our  request 
cost  some  few  years  ago. 

Were  there  time,  and  were  there  not  some  Governors,  Lawyers, 
Doctors,  and  Clergymen  yet  to  speak,  and  whom  you  are  anxious  to 
hear,  I  should  be  pleased  to  enlarge  upon  this  fair  topic;  but  even 
at  the  hazard  of  standing  between  you  and  those  gentlemen  for  an 
unreasonable  time,  I  could  not  say  less.  When  I  look  upon  this 
immense  audience,  and  especially  upon  this  bed  of  flowers  before  me, 
in  which  I  see  the  spring  violet,  the  summer  rose,  and  the  dahlia  of 
autumn,  all  in  bloom  at  the  same  time,  as  if  the  three  seasons  had 
been  consolidated,  I  wish  we  had  another  day  in  which  we  could  say 
what  we  feel  and  think. 

Since  my  earliest  recollection,  great  changes  have  been  wrought  in 
this  valley.  The  stately  elms  and  maples  that  line  the  way  south- 
ward to  the  western  limit  of  the  village  of  Southbury,  were  in  their 


168 

infancy  fifty  years  ago ;  but  now  they  spread  their  giant  arms  in 
every  direction,  and  are  models  of  strength  and  beauty.  This  was 
then  a  sparsely  settled  village;  but  since  that  period  it  has  undergone 
such  alterations  as  to  change  its  appearance  altogether.  Then  it  was 
purely  an  agricultural  town ;  but  now  it  derives  its  prosperity  in  a 
degree  from  the  successful  prosecution  of  some  of  the  mechanic  arts. 

The  men  of  that  day  have  been  for  the  most  part  gathered  to  their 
fathers ;  but  I  recognize  in  some  of  those  here,  the  family  likeness, 
and  hear  on  every  hand  the  family  names.  The  names  of  Stiles, 
Curtis,  Hinman,  Sherman,  Judson,  Atwood,  Strong,  and  many  others, 
are  still  preserved,  and  last,  but  not  least,  you  have  "  saved  your 
Bacon."  We  had  yesterday  afternoon  a  taste  of  the  attic  salt  which 
gives  it  value. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  congratulate  the  originators  of  this  celebra- 
tion, and  all  who  have  been  interested  in  it,  upon  the  singularly  for- 
tunate circumstances  attendant  upon  this  Festival.  The  heavens 
have  smiled  upon  us — no  accident  has  occurred  to  mar  the  festivities 
of  the  occasion — and  the  re-union  has  been  one  of  unmixed  enjoy- 
ment. We  can  be  present  but  upon  one  such  occasion  in  a  life-time. 
Here  we  have  renewed  old  friendships,  and  I  trust  have  formed  new 
ones  of  an  enduring  character.  Many  a  history  will  date  from  this 
occasion,  for  it  would  not  be  strange  if  some,  who  have  met  here  for 
the  first  time,  will  pursue  life's  journey  hand  in  hand — will  "  climb 
life's  hill  together,"  and  when  the  journey  is  concluded,  will  "  sleep 
together  at  the  foot "  the  sleep  of  death.  The  youth  of  both  sexes, 
here  present,  will  excuse  this  public  allusion  to  a  delicate  subject, 
which  may  have  found  a  place  in  their  private  thoughts. 

Now,  my  friends,  I  must  take  my  leave  of  you.  There  is  a  small 
army  of  orators  behind  me,  who  are  waiting  for  turns,  as  the  first 
settlers  waited  at  the  old  mill ;  and  there  are  many  here  whose 
thoughts,  radiant  with  beauty  as  they  are,  will  not  find  vent  in  words. 
We  part  with  pleasant  recollections  of  this  memorable  interview, 
which  we  shall  cherish  while  we  live. 

SPEECH    OF   HON.  HENRY   DUTTON. 

Hon.  Henry  Button,  of  New  Haven,  a  native  of  Watertown, 
within  the  limits  of  the  Woodbury  deed  of  1659,  responded  to  the 
sentiment,  "  The  Cousins  of  Ancient  Woodbuet." 

Mr.  President  : — An  incident  has  occurred  since  I  have  been  on 
this  platform,  which  has  almost  induced  me   to  withdraw.     The  dis- 


169 

tinguished  gentleman  from  Litchfield  related  an  anecdote,  which 
seemed  to  reflect  upon  the  honored  practice  of  "  cousining."  Now 
as  I  am  here  only  under  that  long  established  custom,  and  have  no 
right  to  be  heard,  except  as  a  remote  cousin  of  Woodbury,  had  I  not 
felt  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  friendship  of  that  gentleman,  I 
,<hould  have  been  disposed  to  take  offence.  I  have  been  somewhat 
reassured,  however,  by  the  course  taken  by  the  eloquent  gentleman 
who  preceded  me.     When  that  gentleman, 

"Whose  head  is  silvered  o'er  with  age," 

but  whose 

"  Long  experience  has  [not]  made  him  sage," 

and  whom  I  have  known  for  many  years  as  a  grandfather,  comes 
here  and  palms  himself  off  as  a  great-grandchild  of  Woodbury,  I 
trust  I  shall  be  excused  if  I  claim  the  relationship  of  only  fourth 
cousin. 

Much  credit,  Mr.  President,  has  been  justly  awarded  to  Ancient 
Woodbury,  for  what  was  done  by  her  sons  in  securing  our  independ- 
ence. But  it  ought  to  be  remembered  that  the  territory  embraced 
in  the  deed  of  1659,  not  included  within  the  town,  lying  along  its 
eastern,  northern,  and  western  borders,  and  now  embracing  the 
wooded  hills  and  fertile  valleys  of  Middlebuiy,  Watertown,  and 
portions  of  Litchfield  and  other  towns,  furnished  their  full  quota  of 
men  and  money  in  sustaining  the  glorious  cause.  I  regard  myself, 
Mr.  President,  as  peculiarly  fortunate,  in  being  able,  on  the  present 
occasion,  to  trace  my  origin  to  a  point  west  of  the  Naugatuck — in 
being  able  to  give  testimony  on  the  subject.  One  of  my  earliest 
recollections  is  of  a  near  neighbor,  who  went  by  the  name  of  "  Lef- 
tenant  Ferris,"  who  exhibited  the  most  complete  character  of  a  man, 
that  I  ever  witnessed.  He  had  -served  in  the  army  during  nearly 
the  whole  period  of  the  Revolution,  and  had  lost  his  property,  his 
limbs,  and  his  health,  in  the  cause.  He  had  aided  in  securing  to  his 
country  the  blessings  of  freedom,  but  what  to  him,  in  poverty  and 
distress,  was  the  independence  of  his  country  ?  On  an  occasion  like 
this,  I  trust  a  man  has  a  right  to  speak  of  the  deeds  of  his  own  an- 
cestors. My  father,  though  a  mere  stripling,  was  for  a  short  time  in 
the  army,  and  witnessed  the  scene,  when  a  tent  in  New  York  was 
filled  with  the  corpses  of  soldiers  killed  by  a  single  stroke  of  light- 
ning, in  the  most  fearful  thunder  storm  ever  known  in  this  country. 


170 

He  was  also  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  and  used  to  relate  to  me 
with  thrilling  interest,  the  scenes  which  he  had  witnessed. 

He  also  gave  me  the  names  of  one,  and  another,  and  another,  of 
his  neighbors  who  had  gone  out  at  the  call  of  their  country,  never 
to  return. 

James  Morris,  of  Litchfield,  South  Farms,  was  a  gentleman  to 
whom  full  justice  never  has  been  awarded.  He  was  a  scholar,  as 
well  as  a  soldier.  T  have  it  from  high  authority,  that  he  served  in 
the  army  during  a  large  portion  of  the  war ;  that  he  was  honored  by 
the  friendship  of  Washington,  and  that  he  was  selected  by  him  to 
lead  one  of  the  columns  which  scaled  the  walls  at  the  memorable 
siege  of  Yorktown. 

I  regret  that  the  request  that  I  received  to  make  some  remarks 
on  this  occasion,  were  so  late  that  I  am  unable  to  speak  of  others  from 
the  same  region,  whose  merits  demand  a  passing  notice.  But  there 
was  a  native  of  Watertown  who  contributed  as  much  aid  to  the  cause 
by  his  pen,  as  others  did  by  the  sword.  I  refer  to  John  Trumbull, 
afterward  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court.  As  the  author  of  Mc- 
Fino-al,  he  ranks  among  the  first  poets  which  this  country  has  pro- 
duced. 

That  poem  was  written  at  the  request  of  some  of  the  friends  of 
Independence,  to  cast  ridicule  upon  the  tories  ;  and  it  is  said  that 
many  of  them  feared  the  pointed  shafts  of  his  wit  more  than  they 
did  the  bullets  of  other  whigs. 

Among  the  instances  handed  down  by  tradition  of  his  readiness  at 
repartee,  it  is  said  that  he  was  a  Tutor  in  Yale  College  at  the  same 
time  with  the  late  celebrated  Dr.  D wight.  The  class  of  which  he 
had  charge  had  presented  to  the  worthy  Tutor  a  ring,  with  the  motto, 
"  meruit  plus." — He  deserves  more.  The  younger  members  of  the 
faculty  then,  as  in  later  years,  frequently  visited  the  ladies  of  New 
Haven.  Several  of  them  on  one  occasion  gathered  round  Tutor 
Dwight,  who  was  a  favorite,  admiring  the  ring,  and  referred  to  Tutor 
Trumbull  for  an  interpretation.  He  examined  it,  and  replied  :  The 
motto  says,  "  he  deserves  more."  He  deserves  yoking  as  well  as 
ringing." 

Another  instance  of  a  ready  but  severe  retort  upon  an  antagonist, 
has  sometimes  been  ascribed  to  him,  and  sometimes  to  another  dis- 
tinguished wit.  It  was  a  favorite  doctrine  of  the  schoolmen,  as  our 
reverend  friends  will  bear  witness,  that  the  will  is  always  governed 
by  the  strongest  motive  ;  and  that  were  motives  equally  strong  pre- 
sented, the  will  would  remain  quiescent.  This  was  illustrated  by 
supposing  an  ass  was  stationed  between  two  bundles  of  hay — those 


171 

acute  metaphysicians  insisted  that  the  poor  animal  would  starve  to 
death  before  he  would  touch  either  of  them.  It  happened  that  Tutor 
Trumbull  was  walking  between  two  other  Tutors,  till  they  came  to  a 
crossing,  when  one  of  his  friends  requested  him  to  go  one  way,  and 
the  other,  another  way.  He  hesitated,  and  acknowledged  himself  in 
a  quandary,  for  he  said  he  had  an  equal  regard  for  both.  One  of 
them  suggested  that  he  was  like  the  ass  between  two  bundles  of  hay. 
"•  No,"  said  he,  "  I  am  like  a  bundle  of  hay  between  two  asses." 

The  father  of  John  Trumbull,  who  was  Pastor  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Society  in  Watertown  for  many  years,  was  a  sample  of  a  rare 
class  of  clergymen,  who  would  make  themselves  rich  on  a  salary  of 
one  hundred  pounds,  or  a  little  over  three  hundred  dollars  a  year.  I 
have  heard  from  his  cotemporaries,  many  anecdotes  regarding  him. 
He  was  a  good  farmer,  as  well  as  preacher,  and  was  particularly  a 
good  judge  of  horse-flesh.  He  gave  full  liberty  to  his  parishioners 
to  cheat  him  if  they  could  in  the  sale  or  exchange  of  horses.  He 
was,  though  not  large,  very  athletic. 

The  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Waterbury  at  the  time  was  Mr. 
Leavenworth.  Wrestling  was  much  more  fashionable  then  than  it  is 
now,  and  challenges  were  given  by  the  wrestlers  of  one  town  to  those 
of  another.  In  a  number  of  trials,  the  champion  of  the  ring  of 
Watertown  had  been  worsted  by  those  in  Waterbury.  Mr.  Trum- 
bull sympathized  with  his  fellow  townsmen  in  their  disgrace,  and 
contrived  to  appear  incog,  at  the  next  wrestling  match.  The  Water- 
bury men  at  first  were  as  usual  victorious,  when  the  stranger  stepped 
into  the  ring,  and  prostrated  them,  as  fast  as  they  closed  in  with  him. 

Soon  afterward,  Mr.  Leavenworth,  having  heard  of  the  defeat  of 
his  townsmen,  and  how  it  was  accomplished,  met  Mr.  Trumbull,  and 
being  somewhat  piqued,  called  him  to  account  for  his  unministerial 
conduct.  Mr.  Trumbull  excused  himself,  by  saying  that  he  expected 
to  exchange  with  his  brother  Leavenworth  soon,  and  thought  it 
advisable  to  give  his  parishioners  a  foretaste  of  the  thrashing  which 
they  would  get  when  he  did. 

The  spirit,  Mr.  President,  which  achieved  our  independence,  was 
not  confined  to  any  local  limits,  but  fraternized  with  the  whole  human 
race.  It  was  not  confined  even  to  this  country,  but  crossed  the 
Atlantic  ;  and  the  present  struggle  for  freedom  in  Italy  may  be 
traced  to  our  forefathers.  It  is  not  easy  to  estimate  the  ultimate 
effect  of  the  examples  of  such  men  as  Allen  and  Warner.  Indeed, 
it  has  struck  me  that  there  is  a  striking  analogy  between  the  events 
in  Italy,  and  those  of  our  own  Revolution,  with  this  difference — that 


172 

they  are  compressed  within  much  narrower  limits  of  time  there. 
The  enterprise  and  audacity  of  Garibaldi,  remind  us  strongly  of 
your  own  Ethan  Allen.  The  battles  of  Montebello,  Casteggio  and 
Magenta,  are  a  counterpart  to  those  of  Bunker  Hill,  Saratoga  and 
Yorktown.  May  we  not  hope  that  the  parallel  will  still  be  con- 
tinued. 

There  has  not  been  a  period  for  many  years,  Mr,  President,  when 
it  more  behooved  the  people  of  this  Union,  to  recall  the  deeds,  and 
cultivate  the  virtues  of  their  forefathers,  than  the  present  time.  We 
have  reason  to  hope,  indeed,  that  when  Louis  Napoleon  has  driven 
the  Austrians  out  of  Italy,  as  I  pray  heaven  he  may,  he  will,  by 
giving  to  the  Italians  the  choice  of  a  form  of  government,  place 
himself  on  a  higher  pinnacle  of  fame,  than  any  monarch  who  has 
preceded  him. 

But  we  have  no  assurance  that  such  will  be  the  result.  Success 
may  create  the  love  of  power,  and  he  may  find  the  Eastern  world 
too  small  for  his  ambition.  An  earthquake  in  Italy  is  often  felt  in 
America.  When  the  passions  of  eighty  millions  of  people  are  excited, 
and  hundreds  of  thousands  borne  into  collision,  it  will  not  be  strange 
if  the  concussion  should  be  felt  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  Let  us, 
then,  invoke  the  spirit  of  '76,  and  be  prepared  to  meet  every  in- 
vader. 

Samuel  Minor,  Esq.,  of  Sandusky,  Ohio,  a  native  of  Woodbury, 
then  spoke  to  the  sentiment,  "  The  Emigrants  from  Ancient 
Woodbury,"  as  follows  : " — 

Mr.  President  :  Under  a  brief  notice,  I  am  desired  to  make  a 
few  remarks  in  behalf  of  the  Emigrants  from  Ancient  Woodbury, 
those  who  have  left  these  hills  and  valleys  for  distant  abodes,  and 
returned  to  unite  in  this  festive  occasion.  In  their  names,  we  tender 
most  cordial  thanks,  for  the  invitation  we  have  received,  to  visit  our" 
paternal  homes — to  gather  again  around  the  domestic  hearthstones 
and  to  sit  again  in  the  old  arm  chairs  of  our  ancestors. 

Personally,  this  occasion  has  a  special  interest,  for  around  the  resi- 
dence near  by,  and  the  grounds  on  which  we  are  assembled,  are 
gathered  all  the  associations  of  a  New  England  Home.  Here  were 
spent  my  childhood  and  youth,  and  here  were  received  those  instruc- 
tions prized  higher  than  any  other  legacy  earthly  parents  could  be- 
stow. Tlie  rocks  and  trees  and  hills  are  as  familiar  as  household 
words.  When  I  call  to  mind  those  who  have  fallen  asleep,  and  look 
upon  those  who  live  ;  when  recollection  runs  over  the  reminiscences 


173 

of  the  past,  and  then  turn  to  the  present,  the  soul  is  filled  with  emo- 
tions which  can  not  be  uttered,  and  I  can  only  exclaim  in  reference 
to  this  loved  spot,  as  can  each  returning  wanderer  as  to  his  own  : 

'  Home,  home,  sweet,   sweet  home, 
There's  no  place  like  our  old  firesides,  • 

There's  no  place  lilce  our  good  old  homes.' 

Those  of  us  who  have  removed  from  among  you,  observe  with  pecu- 
liar interest  one  feature  of  this  celebration,  and  that  is,  the  presence 
of  so  many  of  advanced  and  maturing  years,  so  many  bright  links 
connecting  the  past  to  the  present,  so  many  Elishas  upon  whom  have 
fallen  the  mantles  of  the  Elijahs  that  have  gone  before ;  and  when  I 
speak  for  myself,  I  speak  for  all  who  reside  in  the  newer  States,  and 
assure  you,  there  is  nothing  we  there  so  much  miss  as  the  presence 
of  good  old  men.  Happy  is  that  community  which  is  blessed  by 
many  of  them.  It  is  for  you  my  aged  Fathers,  to  remember,  that,  as 
physical  sti'ength  diminishes,  the  fruits  of  a  worthy  character  are 
ripening,  and  the  fragrance  of  useful  lives  is  being  shed  abroad  over 
the  community.  Your  influence,  like  gravity,  is  silent  but  powerful. 
To  you  we  look  with  confidence  and  respect.  We  feel  that  you  have 
imbibed  the  spirit  and  principles  of  our  Puritan  ancestors,  and  are 
manifesting  these  principles  in  your  lives,  and  that  you  have  thus 
become,  not  only  true  sons  of  the  past,  but  fathers  of  the  future. 
While  we  shall  endeavor  to  imitate  your  example,  we  rejoice  to  as- 
sure you,  that  these  silver  crowns,  these  crowns  of  honor  which  time 
is  placing  on  the  brow,  will  be  succeeded,  in  eternity,  by  diadems  of 
glory  in  that  day  when  the  Lord  cometh  to  make  up  his  jewels. 

And  now  as  to  those  of  us  upon  whom  is  coming  the  burden  and 
heat  of  the  day.  It  is  for  us  to  preserve  the  casket  committed  to  our 
care,  and  adhere  faithfully  to  the  principles  thus  transmitted.  In  this 
manner,  and  in  this  only,  shall  we  find  true,  that  beautiful  motto  of 
this  State,  "  Qui  Transtulit  Sustinet,"  that  he  who  hath  established 
will  sustain.  Why  is  it  that  the  roots  of  the  tree  of  Liberty  have 
taken  deeper  and  stronger  hold,  and  its  branches  flourished  more  vig 
orously  amid  .these  comparatively  barren  rocks  of  New  England, 
than  in  the  beautiful  savannas  of  the  South,  yea,  than  in  the  rich 
praii'ies  of  the  West?  It  is  because  that  tree  was  planted  by  hands 
which  knew  no  weariness  in  a  good  cause,  and  was  watered  by  the 
blood  and  tears  of  holy  men  and  holy  women. 

Travelers  and  scientific   men  inform  us,  that  the  time  was,  when, 
in  the  distant  regions  of  the  North,  vegetation  clothed  the  hills  and 
21 


174 

valleys,  and  animal  life  existed  with  no  want  unsatisfied  ;  but,  from 
causes  not  yet  fully  understood,  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  were  with- 
drawn, and  where  all  was  beauty,  desolation  reigned.  So  is  it  in  the 
moral  world.  If  holy  influences  from  above  no  longer  produce  their 
designed  effect,  desolation  there  reigns,  and  frozen  are  the  genial 
currents  of  the  soul. 

There  is  a  law  in  the  falling  leaf  and  in  the  springing  flower.  There 
is  a  law  in  the  solid  mountain,  and  a  law  in  the  silent  spaces  amid  the 
stars,  and  while  these  and  all  other  physical  laws  are  followed,  the 
course  of  nature  runs  smoothly  on.  Equally  true  is  it,  that  there  is 
a  law  in  evei'y  department  of  human  society  enstamped  upon  it  by 
him  who  rules  above,  and  it  can  not  be  broken  with  impunity  in  the 
one  case  more  than  in  the  other. 

Many  here  present,  while  school  boys,  built  with  me,  by  yonder 
school-house,  our  forts  and  houses  and  castles  of  snow  in  winter  time, 
thinking  that  nothing  would  destroy  them,  but  found,  as  summer's 
sun  approached,  they  slowly  but  surely  disappeared.  So  now,  that 
we  have  become  men,  we  shall  find,  no  matter  what  castles  we  may 
build  or  institutions  establish,  unless  they  are  in  accordance  with  the 
great  higher  law,  by  power  from  above,  they  will  be  melted,  melted, 
melted  away. 

But  time  is  passing.  Again,  we  thank  you  for  this  occasion  ;  we 
thank  you  for  the  hospitality  and  kindness  received,  and  for  the  able 
addresses  we  have  heard.  We  thank  you  for  the  influence  your 
character  still  exerts,  and  that,  as  we  wander  over  the  earth,  we  are 
enabled  to  point  with  pride  to  New  England,  with  pride  to  Connecti- 
cut, with  pride  to  Woodbury. 

Permit  me,  in  behalf  of  my  adopted,  and  also  my  native  home, 
without  disparagement  to  others,  to  close  with  this  sentiment : 

Ohio — Noblest  of  the  Western  States. 

Connecticut — Parent  of  the  best  part  of  Ohio. 

Dr.  Leman  Galpin,  of  Milan,  Ohio,  a  native  of  Woodbury,  then 
made  the  following  remarks : 

Mr.  President  : — I  have  been  requested  to  say  something  on 
this  interesting  occasion.  Placed,  so  unexpectedly,  in  the  condition 
of  the  chap  who,  when  called  on  for  a  speech,  arose  and  gravely  said 
that  it  was  exceedingly  embarrassing  for  him  to  attempt  to  say  any- 
thing just  then  and  there,  inasmuch  as  he  was  wholly  unprepared — at 
the  same  time  pulling  from  his  pocket  a  manuscript  speech  "got  up" 


175 

expressly  for  that  particular  juncture,  I  trust  I  shall  have  that  indul- 
gence and  sympathy  which,  in  all  probability,  was  accorded  to  him : 
protesting,  meanwhile,  that  my  embarrassment  and  want  of  prepara- 
tion are  very  much,  if  not  exactly,  like  his. 

To  quiet  any  apprehensions  that  may  arise  in  your  minds,  however, 
let  me  assure  you  that  you  are  not  about  to  suffer  the  injliction  of  a 
speech.  It  is  a  crime  of  which,  hitherto,  I  never  was  guilty.  Yet, 
the  occasion  is  such  as  seemingly  to  demand  of  those,  who  were  reared 
in  this  locality,  some  expression  of  their  attachment  to  the  place  that 
gave  them  birth. 

After  an  absence  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  I  return  from 
Ohio,  the  State  of  my  adoption,  to  meet  with  you  on  this  joyous,  and 
may  1  not  say  momentous,  occasion.  Others  like  myself,  who  had 
wandered  from  this  "our  own  dear  native  town,"  are  present  from 
the  Buckeye  State  to  participate  in  this,  the  Second  Centennial  Cele- 
bration of  Woodbury. 

Many,  no  doubt,  if  indeed  not  a  majority  of  the  different  States  of 
the  Union,  are  represented  here  to-day.  For  where  have  not  Yan- 
kees gone — and  Connecticut  Yankees,  in  particular  ?  Is  it  wholly 
conjectural  to  suppose  that  there  is  not,  probably,  a  State  or  Territory 
in  our  whole  country,  in  which  a  live,  Connecticut  Yankee,  is  not  to 
be  found  ?  And  is  it  any  more  preposterous  or  absurd,  or  one  that 
will  more  severely  tax  our  credulity,  to  imagine  that  there  is  a  coun- 
try on  the  face  of  the  globe  inhabited  by  civilized  men,  or  those  liv- 
ing in  a  state  of  semi-civilization,  even,  where  the  sons  of  Connecti- 
cut cannot  be  found  ?  I  repeat  the  inquiry — Is  there  a  land  or  nation 
under  heaven  where  the  representatives  of  our  State — if  not  of  our 
own  native  Town,  indeed,  are  not  to  be  found  ?  If  so,  where  ?  And 
"  echo  "  ^  answers,  Where?  I  venture  the  affirmation — nowhere — un- 
less it  is  where  wooden  nutmegs  are  at  a  discount,  or  money  can't  be 
made. 

Sir,  I  presume  I  utter  a  sentiment  that  will  meet  with  a  cordial 
response  from  all  who  are  similarly  situated  with  myself,  when  I  say 
"  absent,  but  not  forgotten." 

No !  memory  cherishes,  and  loves  to  dwell  upon  the  scenes  and 
incidents  of  childhood.  Of  every  tree  and  moss-grown  rock,  of  every 
hill-side  and  valley,  in  short,  of  every  locality  Avliere  we  were  accus- 
tomed to  indulge  in  our  childish  sports  may  we  predicate  an  attach- 
ment, proportioned  to  the  frequency  with  which  we  visited  them,  and 
the  number  of  years  we  spent  there. 

Nothing  can  make  a  stronger,  or  a  more  permanent  impression 


176 

upon  the  mind  and  heart  than  the  events  that  occurred  in  the  differ- 
ent locahties,  in  which  we  respectively  resided.  "We  may  aiBrm  the 
same,  also,  of  the  instructions,  the  amusements,  and  even  the  follies 
and  foibles  of  our  youthful  days.  Some  of  these  acts  we  would  fain 
remember,  and  we  love  to  ponder  upon  them. 

But  alas !  Of  how  large  a  proportion  of  our  acts,  in  the  aggre- 
gate, we  may  say — would  that  we  could  draw  the  veil  of  oblivion 
over  them,  and  forever  blot  them  from  the  memory.  But,  impossible  ! 
They  are  written  upon  the  tablet  of  the  heart,  and  the  lines  are  inef- 
faceable. 

This  gathering  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Ancient  Woodbury, 
is  perfectly  demonstrative  of  the  sentiment  I  am  about  to  offer. 

Some  of  you,  it  is  true,  occupy  patrimonial  estates — cultivating  the 
same  farms  that  your  fathers  tilled,  and  residing,  perchance,  in  the 
same  dwellings  in  which  they  lived  and  died.  Attached  to  the  domain 
by  more  than  ordinary  ties,  no  other  spot  is  to  you  so  dear.  Your 
dearest  associations  cluster  around,  and  indeed,  center  in  the  old  home- 
stead. Familiar  with  every  nook  and  corner  from  very  childhood,  a 
value  attaches  to  the  ancestral  home  that  dollars  and  cents  cannot  cor- 
rectly represent.  Should  dire  necessity — events  beyond  your  control 
compel  you  to  leave  it,  how  oft  would  the  imagination  revert  to  that 
place,  than  which  no  other  is  so  dear. 

Circumstances  seemed  to  necessitate  the  migration  of  some  of  us, 
though  we  left  somewhat  reluctantly.  "  Very  much  land  remained 
to  be  possessed." 

Like  bees,  when  the  old  hive  is  full,  new  swarms  must  seek  new 
homes.  So  it  was  with  us.  Leaving  with  the  most  kindly  feelings, 
and  hence  with  many  regrets,  our  predilections  and  affinities  for  the 
old  home  have  not  been  dissevered  or  alienated.  Although  absent 
many  years,  yet  there  has  never  been,  by  any  means,  a  total  trans- 
ference or  an  essential  diminution  of  the  strength  of  our  attachment. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  social  position  or  pecuniary  situation 
of  our  parents — whether  we  were  born  in  a  palace  or  a  cot — whether 
every  thing  that  wealth  and  influence  could  command  were  laid  under 
contribution  to  augment  our  comfort  and  happiness,  or  whether  pov- 
erty with  all  its  stern  imperious  necessities  was  our  lot — in  either 
case,  we  are  prepared  to  endorse  and  adopt  what  Daniel  Webster 
said,  when  he  gave  utterance  to  the  sentiment,  expressed  so  tersely 
and  beautifully  in  the  following  language:  "It  is  only  shallow-minded 
pretenders  who  make  either  distinguished  origin  a  matter  of  personal 
'merit,  or  obscure  origin  a  matter   of  personal  reproach.      A  man 


177 

who  is  not  ashamed  of  himself  need  not  be  ashamed  of  his  early  con- 
dition. It  did  happen  to  me  to  be  born  in  a  log  cabin,  raised  among 
the  snow-drifts  of  New  Hampshire,  at  a  period  so  early  that  when 
the  smoke  first  rose  from  its  rude  chimney,  and  curled  over  the  frozen 
hills,  thei'e  was  no  similar  evidence  of  a  white  man's  habitation  be- 
tween it  and  the  settlements  on  the  rivers  of  Canada.  Its  remains 
still  exist ;  I  make  it  an  annual  visit ;  I  carry  my  children  to  it,  and 
teach  them  the  hardships  endured  by  the  generations  before  them.  I 
love  to  dwell  on  the  tender  recollections,  the  kindred  ties,  the  early 
affections,  and  the  nari-ations  and  incidents  which  mingle  with  all  I 
know  of  this  primitive  family  abode.  I  weep  to  think  that  none  of 
those  who  inhabited  it  are  now  among  the  living,  and  if  ever  I  fail  in 
affectionate  veneration  for  him  who  raised  it  and  defended  it  against 
savage  violence  and  destruction,  cherished  all  domestic  comforts  be- 
neath its  roof,  and  through  the  fire  and  blood  of  seven  years'  revolu- 
tionary war,  shrunk  from  no  toil,  no  sacrifice,  to  serve  his  country, 
and  to  raise  his  children  to  a  condition  better  than  his  own,  may  my 
name  and  the  name  of  my  posterity  be  blotted  from  the  memory  of 
mankind."  Noble  sentiments — worthy  of  being  written  in  letters  of 
gold. 

But  it  is  an  interesting  inquiry,  and  one  that  draws  largely  upon 
the  imagination  and  excites,  somewhat,  our  emotional  nature ;  what 
will  be  the  feelings,  and  who  the  participants  in  the  Third  Centennial 
Celebration  ?  Will  a  single  one  present  here  to-day,  be  there  ?  Not 
one !  We  shall  all  have  gone  to  our  rewards.  When  gone,  will  our 
names  be  remembered,  and  our  memories  be  cherished  ?  Or  shall  we 
be  forgotten  and  no  record  or  tradition,  even,  exist  to  tell  that  we 
have  lived — and  that  we  have  lived  here  ?  Let  the  history  of  that 
day,  as  it  only  can,  decide.  But  thanks  to  Ancient  Woodbury's  His- 
torian, Wm.  Cothren,  Esq.,  the  names  of  our  fathers  as  well  as  of 
many  of  us  will  be  perpetuated  and  transmitted  to  generations  yet 
unborn. 

Before  closing,  Sir,  I  wish  to  say,  briefly,  that  many  with  whom 
we  were  formerly  acquainted,  and  with  whom  we  were  pleasantly  and 
somewhat  intimately  associated  either  in  the  duties  or  business  trans- 
lions  of  life,  "  have  fallen  asleep." 

While  we  cherish  and  revere  their  memories,  still  our  respect  and 
affiliation  for  the  succeeding  generation  is  neither  abated  nor  abatable. 
And  we  are  ready  to  say  of  the  State  in  general,  and  of  Woodbury 
in  particular —  Connecticut  forever. 

I  am  now  prepared  to  offer  the  following  sentiment : 


178 

The  Town  in  which  we  were  born. — As  soon  "can  a  woman 
forget  her  sucking  child,"  as  a  man  can  forget  the  place  of  his  nativity. 

Gen.  William  Williams,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  Centennial  Celebration  to  be 
held  at  Norwich,  on  the  7th  and  8th  of  September  next,  being 
introduced  by  the  President,  spoke  nearly  as  follows : 

Mr.  President: — At  this  late  hour,  without  consuming  the  time 
in  apologies,  I  come  to  respond  to  your  call. 

Permit  me.  Sir,  to  supply  an  omission  in  the  address  of  the  Hon. 
gentleman  from  Hartford,  who  so  ably  and  appropriately  addressed 
the  audience,  in  announcing  that  the  Poetess  of  Connecticut,  (Mrs. 
Sigourney,)  of  whom  he  made  honorable  mention,  is  a  native  of 
Norwich — to  them  a  matter  of  reciprocal  pride. 

Yesterday,  Sir,  I  beheld  for  the  first  time  your  beautiful  Alpine 
valley.  On  my  arrival,  hearing  a  person  inquire  for  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Williams,  and  understanding  his  residence  to  be  quite  near,  the 
thought  struck  me,  he  must  be  a  cousin,  and  that  on  a  Centennial 
Celebration,  it  Avas  allowable  and  proper  to  look  them  up.  *  I  soon 
made  myself  known  to  him,  and  my  reception  satisfied  me  that 
he  belonged  to  the  old  stock ;  and  on  inquiry,  we  find  that  for  two 
generations,  in  our  country,  we  had  a  common  ancestry,  and  that  in 
the  third  generation,  where  it  branched  off,  the  name  of  his  ancestor 
has  descended  through  the  successive  generations,  in  the  line  to 
which  I  belong,  and  that  I  bear  his  name.  The  Rev.  Wm. 
Williams  died  at  Hatfield,  in  1741,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  and 
56th  of  his  ministry.  This  gentleman  married  the  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard,  of  Northampton,  and  was  consequently 
brother- in-law  to  the  Rev.  Anthony  Stoddard,  the  pastor  here  of 
revered  memory. 

Mr.  President,  we  are  all  the  children  of  good  old  Connecticut, 
and  whether  we  live  on  this  side  of  the  river,  or  the  other,  we  are 
one  in  our  love  of  her  institutions.  In  my  native  County  of  New 
London,  repose  for  six  and  for  seven  generations,  the  ashes  of  my 
paternal  and  maternal  ancestors.  A  tree  which  has  taken  such  root, 
may  well  send  out  its  branches  over  the  river,  and  thus  permit  us  to 
commune  on  this  occasion.  There  is  another,  and  a  yet  tenderer 
sympathy,  that  made  me  wish  to  see  your  rural  town.  When  I  read, 
the  last  winter,  in  our  local  newspaper,  the  interesting  obituary  of 
one  who  had  honored  this  the  place  of  her  birth,  as  well  as  her  dis- 
tant home,  from  whence  her   spirit  went  up  to  heaven,  I  wished  to 


179 

see  Woodbury,  and  to  say,  Sir,  that  I  too  know  the  stricken  heart  of 
a  bereaved  father,  for  I  mourn  the  death  of  my  children. 

There  is  still  another  tie  why  I  have  joined  in  your  bi-centennial 
celebration.  We  have  in  prospect  a  like  occasion  in  Norwich,  on 
the  7th  and  8th  days  of  September,  where,  Sir,  we  shall  be  happy  to 
welcome  you  with  your  honorable  associates. 

Permit  me,  Sir,  in  conclusion,  to  say,  honor  to  Woodbury,  and  her 
successful  celebration. 

Rev.  Robert  G.  Williams  then  read  to  the  audience  the  following 
PARTING  LAY. 

BY  MISS  HORTENSIA  M.  THOMAS,  OF  WOODBURY. 

Fair  "  Dwelling  in  the  Wood  !  "  thy  ample  halls 
To-day  have  opened  wide  their  folded  doors 
To  greet  thy  children, — their  ancestral  walls 
Shall  echo  back  the  songs  each  glad  heart  pours. 
To-day,  no  home  outvies  it,  far  or  near  ; 
Where  is  the  land  would  claim  to  be  thy  peer  ■? 

Thy  roof  is  purest  azure,  and  thy  walls 

The  wooded  slopes  that  bound  these  pleasant  vales  ; 

These  groves,  with  rocks  enclosed,  thy  happy  halls  ; 

God's  benison  is  on  thy  hills  and  dales. 

Two  centuries  since,  the  hardy  pioneer 

Found,  and  rejoiced  to  find,  such  dwelling  here. 

Thousands  of  dwellings  now,  that,  since  those  days. 
Have  reared  their  walls  beneath  the  one  great  dome, 
Send  forth  their  sons  and  daughters,  and  the  rays 
Of  Freedom's  sun  gild  every  happy  home. 
All  meet  as  friends  to-day — to-morrow,  part : 
Breathe,  native  soil !  one  blessing  from  thy  heart; 
Speak  in  the  breeze  that  doth  these  leaflets  stir. 
And  deign  to  make  me  thine  interpreter. 


Soft  and  low,  soft  and  low, 

A  whisper  comes  from  the  soil : 

"  What !  ask  ye  a  blessing  ?  already  blest, 

In  your  evening  pleasui-e's  quiet  zest. 

In  the  peaceful  dreams  of  your  nightly  rest, 

The  meed  of  your  daily  toil." 


•     180 

Wildly  sweet,  wildly  sweet, 

The  tree-tops  echo  the  tone, 
Bome  aloft  by  their  branches  waving  high, 
And  wafted  away  towards  the  azure  sky, 
Enraptured  each  ear,  and  enchained  each  eye, 

By  Nature,  and  her  alone. 

"  Truly  blest,  truly  blest, 

In  the  memories  of  the  past ; 
Ye  know  that  your  fathers,  a  noble  race, 
Their  blessing  left  to  their  dwelling-place  ; 
Their  names  shall  the  page  of  History  grace. 

As  long  as  these  mountains  last. 

"  "Wake  the  harp,  wake  the  lyre. 

For  the  men  of  that  earlier  day. 
They  were  daring  of  heart,  they  were  strong  of  hand  ; 
Their  watch-word  was  '  God  and  our  native  land  ! ' 
They  are  now  enrolled  in  the  heavenly  band ; 

They  are  blest,  they  are  blest,  for  aye  ! 

"  Wake  the  harp,  waken  lyre. 
For  their  '  children's  children  '  stand 
Where  in  days  of  old  the  '  Fathers '  trod. 
Ye  have  kept  the  vows  that  were  made  to  God, 
Where  those  '  Fathers '  knelt  on  yonder  sod — 
God  bless  you,  my  noble  band  ! 

"  Wander  far,  wander  long, 
My  children,  it  gives  me  no  pain  ; 
For  the  brooklet  that  murmurs  through  this  vale 
Is  like  the  stream  of  the  southern  tale, — 
Wiio  drinks  of  its  waters  can  never  fail 

To  come  back  for  a  draught  again. 

"  Childhood's  voice,  childhood's  mirth. 
E'er  pleasant,  .thrice  pleasant  here  ; 
For,  when  gray-haired  men,  they  '11  recall  this  day. 
And  I  know  their  children  will  cease  their  play. 
To  learn  where  the  '  Fathers '  knelt  to  pray. 
While  the  olden  tales  they  hear, 

"  Sunset  hour,  sunset  hour — 

It  hastens  my  parting  song. 
'Twas  a  good  old  custom,  that  set  of  sun 
Should  smile  her  last  upon  labor  done,— 
I  am  listening  now  for  the  sunset  gun  : 

'  Good  night ! '  to  this  joyous  throng." 


181 

And  I,  too,  bid  "  Good  night !  " — I've  tried  to  tell, 
What  to  each  heart,  I  ween,  is  better  told. 
By  myriad  voices.  Nature's  songs  that  swell, — 
So  may  it  be  until  the  world  grows  old. 
May  human  hearts  thrill  to  these  murmurs  sweet, 
Till,  on  the  river's  brink,  the  angels'  feet 
Shall  wait  to  guide  them  to  the  realnis  of  light. 
And  loving  lips  shall  speak  the  last  "  Good  night !  " 

Rev.  C.  Trowbridge  Woodruff  then  read,  with  admirable  effect, 
the  closing  poem  of  the  occasion,  written  by  Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens, 
the  distinguished  authoress  of  New  York,  a  native  of  Ancient 
"Woodbury : — 

A  POEM 
By  Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens,  written  for  the  second  centennial  cel- 
ebration at  Woodbury  : 

We  have  met — we  have  met,  by  the  graves  of  our  sires, 
Where  the  forest  once  reddened  with  war  council  fires. 
Where  the  smoke  of  the  wigwam,  while  curling  on  high. 
Left  its  bloom  on  the  hemlock, — its  cloud  on  the  sky. 

Let  us  turn  from  the  brightness  of  this  happy  hour, 
Two  centuries  back,  when  the  savage  held  power, 
From  the  Naugatuck,  sweeping  through  gorges  and  glen. 
To  the  bright  Housatonic  and  onward  again. 
Here  a  wilderness  spread  in  its  wildness  and  gloom. 
Revealed  by  the  starlight  of  dogwood  in  bloom, 
And  the  broad  rivers  ran  in  the  flickering  shade, 
Which  the  pine  trees  and  cedars  alternately  made- 
Here  the  chiefs  gathered  wild  in  their  gorgeous  array, 
And  their  war-path  was  red  at  the  dawning  of  day 
Along  the  broad  plain  where  light  lingers  clear, 
Came  the  crack  of  the  rifle — the  leap  of  the  deer. 

When  the  leaves  of  the  oak  were  all  downy  and  red. 
And  the  wild  cherry  blossoms  were  white  overhead, 
When  the  buds  and  the  sap  of  the  maple  were  sweet, 
And  the  child  lay  asleep  on  the  moss  at  her  feet. 
Here  the  squaw  sat  at  work  in  the  cool  of  the  trees, 
While  her  lord  roamed  at  will,  or  reclined  at  his  ease, — 
This — this  is  the  picture  all  savagely  grand, 
Which  our  forefathers  found  when  they  sought  out  this  land. 

22 


182 

The  contract  was  honest  our  ancestors  made 
When  they  found  the  red  warriors  lords  of  the  shade  ; 
They  came  not  to  wrangle  or  fight  for  the  sod, 
But  armed  with  the  law  and  the  blessing  of  God, 
"With  the  gold  they  had  won  by  privation  and  toil, 
They  purchased  a  right  to  the  rivers  and  soil. 
Then  their  cabins  were  built,  and   they  planted  the  corn, 
Though  the  warwhoop  soon  answered  the  blast  of  the  horn, 
And  the  sound  of  the  axe  as  it  rang  through  the  wood 
But  challenged  a  contest  of  carnage  and  blood. 
Still,  upward  and  onward  in  peril  of  life 
They  planted  our  homesteads  with  labor  and  strife, 
For  labor  is  mighty,  and  courage  is  grand. 
When  it  conquers  the  foe  as  it  toils  with  the  hand. 
While  the  war-cry  resounded  from  valley  and  hill. 
The  smoke  of  the  fallow  rose  steady  and  still ; 
If  a  cabin  was  burnt  on  the  hills  or  the  plain, 
A  score  of  stout  hearts  piled  the  logs  up  again. 
If  famine  appeared,  it  was  not  to  one  roof, 
For  charity  then  had  its  power  and  its  proof; 
No  mortar  stood  empty  while  one  teemed  with  corn, 
For  of  danger  and  want  is  true  brotherhood  born. 
Thus  our  forefathers  worked,  and  our  forefathers  won 
The  wealth  we  inherit  from  father  to  son. 
Till  their  heads  grew  as  white  as  the  snow  when  it  lies 
On  the  pine  branches  lifted  half  way  to  the  skies, 
And  they  laid  themselves  down  in  the  ripeness  of  years, 
While  a  new  generation  baptized  them  with  tears. 
While  the  meeting-house,  crowned  with  its  belfry  and  spire. 
Takes  rose-tints  from  dawn — from  the  sunset  its  fire, — 
While  our  homesteads  are  built,  where  the  log  cabin  stood, 
And  our  fields  ripen  grain  to  the  verge  of  the  wood. — 
We  ask  for  no  trophies  to  tell  of  their  deeds, 
No  thunder  of  cannon,  nor  tramping  of  steeds. 
For  each  wild  flower  that  springs  to  the  smile  of  its  God, 
Has  written  their  virtues  abroad  on  the  sod. 

We  have  met — we  have  met  in  the  bloom  of  the  year, 
The  first  glow  of  summer  encircles  us  here  ; 
The  sunshine  is  warm  on  the  ripening  fruit, 
And  the  whip-poor-will  sings  when  the  robin  is  mute ; 


183 

Our  mills  as  they  toil  through  their  burden  ot"  grain, 

Send  over  the  waters  a  mellow  refrain. 

While  the  wind  whispers  low  as  it  whispered  to  them, 

And  sways  the  pale  rose  on  its  delicate  stem. 

Our  souls  as  they  feel  the  melodious  thrill, 

Send  up  a  thanksgiving  more  exquisite  still, 

And  our  fathers  might  bend  from  their  heaven  of  bliss, 

To  smile  on  a  scene  of  rejoicing  like  this. 

Rev.  C.  T.  Woodruff,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Wood- 
bury, then  said  the  concluding  prayer,  as  follows : — 

"  Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  Thy  name,  Thy  king- 
dom come,  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  done  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we 
foi'give  those  who  trespass  against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  tempta- 
tion ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen." 

"  O  Lord,  who  hast  taught  us  that  all  our  doings,  without  charity, 
are  nothing  worth ;  send  thy  Holy  Ghost,  and  pour  into  our  hearts 
that  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  the  very  bond  of  peace,  and  of  all 
virtues  ;  without  which,  whosoever  liveth  is  counted  dead  before  thee : 
Grant  this  for  thine  only  Son  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen." 

"  O  God,  who  art  the  blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of  kings 
and  Lord  of  lords ;  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  nations ;  we  adore  and 
magnify  thy  glorious  name  for  all  the  great  things  which  thou  hast 
done  for  us. 

We  render  thee  thanks  for  the  goodly  heritage  which  thou  hast 
given  us ;  for  the  civil  and  religious  privileges  which  we  enjoy ;  and 
for  the  multiplied  manifestations  of  thy  favor  towards  us.  Gi'ant 
that  we  may  show  forth  our  thankfulness  for  these  thy  mercies,  by 
living  in  reverence  of  thy  almighty  power  and  dominion,  in  humble 
reliance  on  thy  goodness  and  mercy,  and  in  holy  obedience  to  thy 
righteous  laws.  Preserve,  we  beseech  thee,  to  our  country,  the  bless- 
ings of  peace  ;  restore  them  to  nations*deprived  of  them ;  and  secure 
them  to  all  the  people  of  the  earth. 

May  the  kingdom  of  the  Prince  of  Peace  come ;  and,  reigning  in 
the  hearts  and  lives  of  men,  unite  them  in  holy  fellowship  ;  that  so 
their  only  strife  may  be,  who  shall  show  forth,  with  most  humble  and 
holy  fervor,  the  praises  of  Him  who  hath  loved  them,  and  made  them 
kings  and  priests  unto  God.  We  implore  thy  blessing  on  all  in  leg- 
islative, judicial  and  executive  authority,  that  they  may  have  grace, 
wisdom,  and  understanding,  so  to  discharge  their  duties  as  most  effec- 


184 

tually  to  promote  thy  glory,  the  interests  of  true  religion  and  virtue, 
and  the  peace,  good  order,  and  welfare  of  this  State  and  nation.  Con- 
tinue, O  Lord,  to  prosper  our  institutions  for  the  promotion  of  sound 
learning,  the  diffusion  of  virtuous  education,  and  the  advancement  of 
Christian  truth,  and  of  the  purity  and  prosperity  of  thy  Church ;  change, 
we  beseech  thee,  every  evil  heart  of  unbelief;  and  shed  the  quicken- 
ing influences  of  thy  Holy  Spirit  on  this  community,  and  on  all  the 
people  of  this  land.  Save  us  from  the  guilt  of  abusing  the  blessings 
of  prosperity  to  luxury  and  licentiousness,  to  irreligion  and  vice ;  lest 
we  provoke  thee,  in  just  judgment,  to  visit  our  offences  with  a  rod,  and 
our  sins  with  scourges.  Imprint  on  our  hearts,  we  beseech  thee,  a 
deep  and  habitual  sense  of  this  great  truth,  that  the  only  security  for 
the  continuance  of  the  blessings  which  we  enjoy,  consists  in  our  ac- 
knowledgment of  thy  sovereign  and  gracious  Providence,  and  in 
humble  and  holy  submission  to  the  Gospel  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ. 
And,  while  thy  unmerited  goodness  to  us,  O  God  of  our  salva- 
tion, leads  us  to  repentance,  may  we  offer  ourselves,  our  souls  and 
bodies,  a  living  sacrifice  to  thee,  who  hast  preserved  and  redeemed  us, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen." 

"  O  God,  whose  days  are  without  end,  and  whose  mercies  can  not 
be  numbered,  make  us  all,  we  beseech  thee,  deeply  sensible  of  the 
shortness  and  uncertainty  of  human  life  ;  and  let  thy  Holy  spirit  lead 
us  through  this  vale  of  misery,  in  holiness  and  righteousness,  all  the 
days  of  our  lives  :  That,  when  we  shall  have  served  thee  in  our  gen- 
eration, we  may  be  gathered  unto  our  fathers,  having  the  testimony 
of  a  good  conscience ;  in  the  communion  of  the  Catholic  Church  ;  in 
the  confidence  of  a  certain  faith  ;  in  the  comfort  of  a  reasonable,  re- 
ligious and  holy  hope  ;  in  favor  with  thee,  our  God,  and  in  perfect 
charity  with  all  the  world :  All  which,  we  ask,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.     Amen." 

"  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and 
the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  us  all,  evermore.     Amen." 

Rev.  Philo  Judson,  an  aged  clergyman  of  Rocky  Hill,  Conn.,  a 
native  of  Woodbury,  after  making  the  following  remarks,  pronounced 
the  benediction,  and  the  great  assembly  broke  up,  to  meet  no  more 
on  a  similar  occasion,  within  our  beautiful  valley  : 

Mr.  President  :— This  is  a  glorious  and  interesting  day  to 
Woodbury.  I  am  proud  to  say  that  I  am  a  descendant  of  the  Pil- 
grim fathers. 


185 

I  have  attended  celebrations  before,  but  never  one  equal  to  this. 
It  excels  all  that  have  been  held  in  this  State.  I  have  been  informed 
by  those  who  were  present  at  the  Litchfield  County  Celebration, 
August  13th  and  14th,  1851,  that  it  was  not  equal  to  this  in  point  of 
interest,  though  that  was  a  County  Celebration.  When  "Woodbury 
takes  hold  of  any  subject  or  enterprise,  it  moves  forward,  and  excels 
others. 

Woodbury,  in  the  reputation  and  elevation  of  character  of  its 
inhabitants,  excels  any  other  town  in  the  State,  of  the  same  popula- 
tion. She  has  produced  more  great  literary  men.  Her  voice,  influ- 
ence, and  power  have  been  felt  in  the  halls  of  Congress,  and  Courts 
of  justice. 

Look  at  our  Smiths,  Benedicts,  Shermans,  Minors,  Strongs,  Jud- 
sons,  Phelpses,  and  Marshalls. 

Look  at  our  Beers.  An  anecdote  may  show  something  of  his 
character  when  a  lad. 

A  lady  remarked,  when  young,  she  was  in  the  same  class  at 
school.  When  Beei's  was  not  there,  she  could  keep  the  head ;  but 
when  that  plague,  Seth  P.  Beers,  came,  I  knew  I  must  lose  it,  as  he 
was  the  best  speller,  and  would  beat  all  the  others  in  the  school.  We 
might  know  that  he  would  do  something  in  the  world.  But  he  was 
good  \i\  figures,  and  he  has  figured,  as  you  have  seen,  here,  on  Litch- 
field hills,  and  all  over  the  United  States.  Our  Beers  was  brewed  in 
Woodbury,  and  we  sent  him  on  to  Litchfield  Hill,  where  he  worked 
^nd  foamed,  and  did  very  much  to  make  Litchfield  what  she  was  and 
now  is. 

In  a  masterly  and  skillful  manner,  he  arranged  and  systematized 
the  school  fund,  brought  order  out  of  confusion,  and  placed  it  in  a 
situation  to  be  managed  with  much  less  labor  and  expense  than  be- 
fore his  accession  to  office,  following  the  good  example  of  Hillhouse. 

Our  fathers  enacted  a  law,  that  made  it  the  duty  of  all  the  inhab- 
itants to  attend  meeting  on  the  Sabbath.  If  they  were  absent  a 
particular  number  of  Sabbaths,  they  must  be  called  to  account  at  the 
close  of  the  year,  and  if  absent  too  many  Sab-baths,  were  fined  five 
dollars.  Jehu  Minor  and  others  were  in  the  habit  of  riding  on  each 
Saturday,  towards  night,  through  the  neighborhood,  and  letting  the 
people  know  the  Sabbath  was  approaching,  announcing  to  them  that 
they  must  lay  aside  their  work  and  worldly  concerns  by  sunset,  take 
their.  Bibles,  and  on  the  Sabbath,  go  to  meeting. 

I  wish  we  had  Jehu's  now  to  go  through  the  length  and  breadth  of 


186 

I 

our  towns,  calling  upon  the  people  to  pi-epare  for  the  Sabbath,  and 

be  in  the  Sanctuary  on  the  Lord's  day. 

As  soon  as  the  people  began  to  neglect  the  place  of  worship  on  the 
Sabbath,  iniquity  increased  a  hundred  fold. 

This  morning  we  met  for  prayer  at  Bethel  Rock.  My  friends, 
my  feelings  and  emotions  were  such  as  language  cannot  describe. 
We  stood  on  sacred  and  holy  ground.  There  our  Pilgrim  fathers 
and  mothers  worshiped  on  the  Sabbath  for  about  eight  years,  during 
the  summer  season.  The  overhanging  rock,  as  you  saw,  is  perhaps 
300  feet  long,  and  very  high.  Our  fathers,  seated  by  this  rock, 
would  to  some  extent  be  shielded  from  the  storms.  Sentinels  were 
placed  on  the  top  of  the  rock,  so  as  to  give  the  alarm  if  the  Indians 
approached.  There  was  a  stone  pulpit,  as  you  saw.  O !  what 
prayers  were  there  offered  by  our  fathers.  Prayer  meetings  have 
been  held  there,  more  or  less,  ever  since.  In  1811,  I  attended  a 
prayer  meeting  with  Dr.  Azel  Backus,  Dr.  Bennet  Tyler,  Dr. 
Lyman  Beecher,  Rev.  Messrs.  Clark,  Harrison,  and  others.  It  was 
one  of  uncommon  interest  and  solemnity — we  wrestled  with  God  in 
prayer. 

Are  we  now  prepared  to  receive  a  blessing  from  the  God  of  our 
fathers  ?  And  shall  we  now  so  look  up  to  God  by  faith,  that  our 
souls  shall  be  baptized  anew  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  great 
principles  of  our  fathers  be  revived,  and  all  of  us  consecrate  our- 
selves anew  unto  God  ?  Do  we  not  feel  that  God  is  now  with  us  by 
his  special  presence  and  Spirit  ?  We  believe  that  numbers  of  you 
feel  this.  Let  us  carry  from  this  place  the  fire  of  heaven,  and  the 
spirit  of  our  Saviour. 

Woodbury  has  produced  more  great  and  eminent  men  than  any 
other  town  of  equal  size.  Dr.  D wight  of  Yale  College  remarked, 
that  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith's  native  talent  was  superior  to  that  of  any 
man  he  ever  met.  He  had  not  his  equal  in  this  State — some  say, 
not  his  equal  or  superior  in  New  England. 

This  has  been  a  glorious  celebration.  Even  our  friend,  Hon. 
Charles  Chapman,  of  Hartford,  comes  here  to  share  in  the  glory, 
trying  to  claim  some  relationship  here.  We  had  supposed  he  had 
popularity  and  glory  enough  in  Hartford  for  any  one  man. 

But  he  labored  very  hard,  as  you  have  seen,  to  make  out  that  he 
was  the  great-grandson  of  somebody  in  Woodbury  !  I  do  not  know 
but  he  made  it  out,  because  he  will  make  out  anything  he  under- 
takes. 

But  while  listening  to  his  spicy,  eloquent,  and  able  speech,  I  be- 


187 

Here  we  should  have  been  willing  to  adopt  him  as  a  grandson.  At 
the  next  centennial  celebration,  they  will  probably  be  willing  to 
adopt  him  as  a  son/ 

The  Historical  Address  by  "William  Cothren,  your  able  historian, 
was  very  learned,  interesting,  eloquent,  and  instructive.  He  is  de- 
serving of  much  credit,  and  has  done  immense  service  to  the  com- 
munity in  giving  us  the  History  of  Woodbury.  It  is  an  able  work, 
and*must  have  required  much  persevering  research.  It  is  read  with 
deep  interest  by  those  away  from  Woodbury.  Many  lay  it  on  their 
tables,  next  to  their  Bibles.  It  is  read  by  those  that  are  not  de- 
scendants, with  great  interest.  It  is  a  very  popular  work  among 
intelligent  and  literary  men.  Its  interest  will  increase  as  time  passes 
on.  In  fifty  or  one  hundred  years  from  this  time,  it  will  be  read 
with  tenfold  more  interest  than  now,  even  in  Woodbury.  It  will  go 
down  to  generations  yet  unborn,  and  be  considered  as  one  of  the 
most  interesting  of  histories.  Cothren's  name  will  be  immortal — 
remembered  as  long  as  time  shall  endure.  Many  will  rise  up,  and 
call  him  blessed ! 

Philo  M.  Trowbridge  is  deserving  of  much  credit  for  collecting 
and  preserving  facts,  and  assisting  in  the  several  historical  works. 
He  will  receive  a  blessing,  and  the  community  will  never  forget  him. 

Woodbury  has  sent  forth  more  ministers  than  any  other  town 
within  my  knowledge.  Nearly  eighty  heralds  of  the  cross  have  de- 
scended from  the  loins  of  the  first  William  Judson.  Many  of  them 
have  borne  his  honored  sui-name,  and  many  others  have  borne  the 
honorable  names  of  the  female  alliances.  They  have  preached  the 
Gospel  far  and  wide,  and  their  labors  have  been  greatly  blessed. 
None  can  estimate  the  great  and  good  results  which  have  arisen  from 
the  labors  of  the  ministers  who  have  gone  out  from  Ancient  Wood- 
bury.    Eternity  alone  can  unfold  them. 

We  are  now  about  to  pronounce  the  blessing.  The  solemn  mo- 
ment has  arrived,  and  we  are  now  about  to  part,  to  meet  no  more  in 
this  world. 

Are  you  all  now  prepared  to  receive  the  blessing  of  salvation, 
through  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ  ?  Will  you  now  all  go  forth 
determined  to  carry  out  the  great  principles  of  your  Pilgrim  fathers, 
and  make  sacrifices  to  save  souls  and  bless  the  world  wherever  you 
go  ?     What  is  your  response  ? 

Are  you  now  ready  to  receive  the  blessing  of  Heaven  ? — And 
now,  may  the  grace  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  the  love 
of  God,  and  the  communion  and  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  be 
with  you  all,  now  and  evei'.     Amen  and  Amen. 


188 


LETTERS,  ODES,  &c. 

Previous  to  the  close  of  the  exercises  at  the  Stand,  "William  Coth- 
ren.  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee,  announced  in  its  behalf, 
that  a  considerable  number  of  letters,  odes  and  toasts,  were  in  the 
hands  of  the  Committee,  which  could  not  be  read  for  want  of  time, 
but  that  they  would  all  appear  in  the  book  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
celebration.  In  accordance  with  this  promise,  they  are  here  recorded 
with  many  thanks  to  their  distinguished  authors. 

From  Hon.  John  Lorimer  Graham,  of  New  York,  a  native  of 
London,  England,  and  grandson  of  Ancient  Woodbury. 

New  York,  July  2,  1859. 
William  Cothren,  Esq., 

Chairman  of  Committee^  S^c,  Woodbury,  Conn. 

Dear  Sir, — I  accepted  with  great  pleasure  your  kind  invitation 
to  be  present  at  the  Historical  Celebration  of  the  Second  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  the  first  exploration  of  the  Town  of  Woodbury,  &c., 
on  the  4th  and  5th  inst.,  and  it  is  now  a  source  of  deep  regret  that 
the  sudden  illness  of  one  of  my  family  prevents  my  attendance. 

I  highly  approve  of  these  demonstrations  ;•  they  are  just  tributes 
to  the  memories  of  our  patriotic  and  virtuous  ancestors;  they  con- 
tribute to  perpetuate  the  knowledge  of  their  energy,  enterprise  and 
morals;  distinguishing  chai-acteristics  of  the  race  of  men  who  fii'st 
peopled  ^Hhe  land  of  steady  habits;"  they  teach  to  the  rising  genera- 
tion a  duty  which  should  be  constantly  inculcated;  veneration  for  our 
progenitors  who,  in  their  eventful  lives,  portrayed  the  highest  attributes 
of  man. 

During  fourteen  years  of  my  youth,  I  accompanied  my  revered 
father  in  an  annual  visit  he  made  to  his  aged  mother,  in  Southbury. 
It  was  my  father's  custom  to  take  me  on  the  morning  after  our  arrival 
to  the  rural  spot  "where  the  rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep," 
and  there  standing  beside  the  tombs  of  his  venerated  father  and 
grandfather,  he  would  discourse  of  their  virtues  and  piety,  and,  pointing 
to  the  tablets  he  had  himself  erected  to  their  memories,  he  patheti- 
cally enjoined  it  upon  me  to  imitate  the  example  of  these  excellent 
sires, — especially  adverting  to  the  holy  life  of  that  eminent  man  of 
God,  his  noble  grandfather,  '•'•John  Graham,  D.  Z).,"  whose  name  he 
bore,  and  who  for  ffty-four  years  had  been  the  spiritual  teacher  of 
the  people  of  Southbury. 


189 

The  impressions  produced,by  these  solemn  scenes  have  not  been  and 
never  can  be  effaced,  and  they  had  a  powerful  influence,  as  will  your 
celebration,  upon  the  hearts  of  all  true  sons  of  "Ancient  Woodbury," 
in  causing  me  ever  to  revere,  through  life,  these  departed  worthies 
whom  you  assemble  to  honor. 

It  is  nearly  half  a  century  since  these  scenes  occurred.  You  can 
realize  what  an  intense  interest  I  have  felt  in  again  visiting  that  sacred 
spot,  and  how  great  is  my  disappointment  in  not  being  able  to  partici- 
pate in  your  celebration.  I  should  with  pleasure  have  offered  some 
extemporaneous  remarks,  as  requested  by  your  committee,  and,  to  the 
extent  of  my  ability,  contributed  to  enliven  the  joyous  occasion. 

Let  it  be  remembered  that  none  who  here  attend  your  festive  scene 
can  be  present  at  another  similar  celebration;  all  of  us  before  that 
time  will  have  passed  away;  but  I  trust  that  while  we  live  we  will 
cherish  a  fond  and  reverential  recollection  of  uiir  honored  forefathers, 
and  that  their  memories  may  be  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  their  latest 
posterity — who  should  emulate  their  noble  example  and  hold  it  up 
for  imitation  to  their  children's  childi'en. 

I  beg  to  present  to  the  committee  the  accompanying  sentiment, 
which  I  should  have  offered  had  I  been  present  at  their  festival. 

With  best  respects  and  thanks  to  your  colleagues  of  the  committee, 
and  with  renewed  assurances  of  esteem, 
•I  remain.  Dear  Sir, 

Very  sincerely  your  friend, 

JOHN  LORIMER  GRAHAM. 

William  Cothren,  Esq. — The  Historian  of  ^"Ancient  Wood- 
bury," whose  industry,  accuracy  and  impartiality,  have  produced  a 
most  interesting  and  faithful  narrative  and  truthful  history,  entitling 
him  to  the  lasting  gratitude  of  all  the  descendants  of  the  first  settlers 
of  the  soil  which  is  endeared  to  them  by  recollections  as  sacred  as 
they  are  imperishable. 

Given  by  John  Lorimer  Graham,  of  New  York. 

From  Hon.  Charles  J.  Hill,  of  Rochester,  New  York,  a  native 
of  Woodbury. 

Rochester,  June  28,  1859. 
Gentlemen  : — With  gratitude  I  received  your  cordial  invitation 
to  attend  your  interesting  celebration,  and  most   sincerely  regret  that 
I  am  now  obliged  to  relinquish  the  pleasing  anticipation  I  had  in- 
dulged of  being  present  and  responding  in  person. 
23 


190 

I  am  a  native  of  the  present  town  of  Woodbury,  and  trace  my  pa- 
ternal and  maternal  ancestry,  all  residents  of  Ancient  Woodbury 
nearly  back  to  its  first  settlement. 

From  twelve  to  sixteen  years  of  age,  I  was  a  member  of  the  fam- 
ily of  one  whose  name  was  honored  throughout  the  State,  and  whose 
memory,  as  my  early  patron,  is  embalmed  in  the  deep  recesses  of  my 
heart. 

The  lovely  valley  and  grounds,  skirted  by  "  Bethel  Rock  "  and  the 
more  distant  hills,  the  pleasant  streams,  and  all  the  delightful  scene- 
ry of  Central  Woodbury,  were  entirely  familiar  to  me,  and  consti- 
tuted my  play-ground. 

But  what  made  a  more  indelible  impression  on  my  mind,  was  the 
presence  of  the  great  and  good  men  who  then  resided  there  and  with- 
in the  limits  of  Ancient  Woodbury.  Men  of  strong  intellect,  high 
cultivation,  eminently  pure  morals,  whose  mission  it  was  to  honor  the 
memory  of  as  honorable  and  virtuous  an  ancestry  as  ever  blessed  any 
community  ;  by  cultivating  their  virtues,  and  fostering  the  institutions 
of  religion  and  literature,  and  handing  them  down  in  their  purity 
with  their  attendant  blessings  to  the  present  generation. 

It  is  a  pleasing  reflection,  that  in  the  picturesque  valley  of  Wood- 
bury, commenced  the  first  settlement  of  Litchfield  County,  so  cele- 
brated for  the  large  number  of  eminent  men  she  has  sent  out  to  settle 
and  adorn  all  our  new  states  and  territories,  no  less  than  for  the  pre- 
eminent position  she  maintains  at  home,  in  reference  to  all  the  insti- 
tutions which  enlighten  and  bless  a  people. 

Is  it  strange  that  the  present  generation  should  delight  to  honor 
the  memory  of  that  noble  band  of  emigrants  who  first  traversed  the 
wilderness  to  the  site  of  Woodbury ;  men  of  indomitable  enterprise, 
lofty  patriotism,  and  devoted  piety  ? 

How  could  I  fail  to  entertain  a  high  veneration  for  the  past  gene- 
rations of  that  locality,  when  it  was  my  privilege  near  half  a  century 
ago,  although  but  a  lad,  to  be  familiar  with  the  faces,  and  forms,  and 
characters  of  such  men  as  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Benedict,  Wildman, 
Backus,  Tyler,  Porter,  and  others,  in  the  ministry,  and  Messrs.  Smith, 
Benedict,  Minor,  Strong,  Phelps,  and  others,  in  the  legal  profession  ? 
If  such  were  some  of  the  professional  men  of  those  days,  what  was 
the  character  of  others  in  the  various  professions  which  I  cannot  en- 
numerate, — and  what  kind  of  men  were  the  laity  among  whom  they 
lived?  May. I  not  say  as  a  general  remark,  that  they  were  the  up- 
right, intelligent,  good  men,  who  deserved  the  society  and  intercourse 
of  the  eminent  men  just  alluded  to? 


191 

Ancient  Woodbury  contributed  liberally  in  men  for  the  defence  of 
our  common  country.  Many  of  us  whose  ancestry  resided  there,  back 
to  the  early  settlement  of  the  town,  can  say  that  the  lives  of  not  a 
few  of  them  were  sacrificed  in  the  armies  of  the  old  French  and 
Revolutionory  wars. 

She  has  done  much  for  other  sections  of  the  country,  in  sending 
out  emigrants,  such  as  are  ever  wanted  to  fill  places  of  labor  and  high 
responsibility  ;  men  to  adorn  the  various  professions,  to  carry  forward 
business  enterprises,  sustain  good  institutions,  as  well  as  to  cope  with 
the  severest  hardships  of  pioneer  life. 

Forty  three  yeai-s  ago  I  came'  to  Rochester  a  young  adventurer. 
This  present  city  of  fifty  thousand,  then  had  a  population  of  tlu-ee 
hundred  ;  among  whom  I  found  a  small  representation  from  "Ancient 
Woodbury  ;"  say  two  men,  one  of  whom  lately  deceased,  the  other 
still  living  here ;  both  of  whom  I  must  refer  to  again. 

Although  the  numbers  furnished  by  Ancient  Woodbury  to  this  lo- 
cality, have  not  been  large,  yet  among  them  have  been  from  the  first 
settlement  of  the  place  to  the  present  time,  men  of  high  position  ; 
some  of  them  in  the  first  rank  as  professional  gentlemen,  legislators 
and  philanthropists. 

One  (RulufF  D.  Hannahs,  from  Bethlem,)  was  among  the  early 
pioneers  of  Western  New  York  and  Rochester ;  the  first  exporter 
(it  is  believed,)  of  Genesee  Flour  direct  to  New  England  by  teams  ; 
one  of  the  first  to  transport  produce  down  the  Genesee  Valley  to 
Rochester  by  boats ;  the  first  to  run  a  boat  over  Genesee  Falls, 
saving  himself  by  swimming  to  the  shore ;  and  the  last  person  who 
passed  the  celebrated  "Carthage  Bridge,"  196  feet  high,  with  a 
loaded  team,  just  previous  to  its  fall.  He  is  now  enjoying  a  "  green 
old.  age,"  with  a  competency  and  the  esteem  of  our  citizens. 

Permit  me  to  express  my  enthusiastic  approval  of  the  action  of 
your  citizens  on  the  last  "  Fourth  of  July,"  in  resolving  to  hold  a 
"  Centennial  Celebration." 

The  thousands  who  will  be  there,  and  the  other  thousands  whose 
hearts  only  will  be  with  you,  will,  I  trust,  be  richly  rewarded  in  the 
elevating  and  ennobling  inspirations  of  the  occasion. 

How  can  we  fail  to  be  reminded  of  our  worthy  ancestry  by  a  thou- 
sand incidents  and  mementos ;  and  after  long  years  of  absence, 
looking  again  upon  few  of  their  faces,  but  many  of  their  former 
abodes,  or  in  silent  sadness  reading  inscriptions  upon  the  monuments 
which  mark  the  places  where  their  ashes  repose. 

Names  of  persons  highly  esteemed  in  life  for  varied  talents  and 


192 

virtues;  others  distinguished  for  their  eccentricities;  some  for  their 
eminent  piety  ;  some  for  their  weahh  ;  some  for  their  great  intellect ; 
others  for  their  unbending  integrity  ;  (I  hope  none  for  lack  of  it,) 
last,  but  not  least,  others  for  their  overpowering  eloquence,  Avill  be 
brought  back  to  the  memory  with  impressive  vividness. 

Thus  will  the  memory,  perhaps  the  concience,  be  quickened  to  a 
retrospect  of  the  instructions,  warnings  and  maxims  which  multitudes 
had  received  from  the  lips  of  those  to  whom  the  present  and  future 
generations  are  so  greatly  indebted.  Nor  is  this  indebtedness  felt 
merely  by  "the  present  inhabitants  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  but  in  all 
sections  of  our  country  are  to  be  found  emigrants,  who,  with  grateful 
hearts,  and  oft  with  teai-ful  eye,  would  rejoice  in  any  opportunity  to 
testify  to  the  salutary  influence  of  their  worthy  ancestors.  Many  of 
this  class  who  will  not  be  present  at  your  jubilee,  will  nevertheless 
receive  the  record  of  your  doings,  which  they  will  ponder  with  intense 
interest,  and  with  unwonted  emotions  tell  the  story  to  tlieir  children. 
Respectfully  and  sincerely  yours, 

CHAS.  J.  HILL. 

P.  M.  Trowbridge,  N.  B.  Smith,  John  C.  Ambler,  Esquires, 
and  others,  Committee. 

From  Hon.  John  Sherman,  member  of  Congress  from  Ohio,  a 
grandson  of  Woodbury  : — 

Washington,  Feb.  24,  1859. 

My  Dear  Sir : — Since  the  receipt  of  your  circular-note,  1  have 
been  debating  with  myself  whether  I  could  accept  your  invitation. 
If  it  is  possible  I  will  do  so.  Nothing  could  give  me  greater  pleasure 
than  to  join  in  the  celebration  of  the  Two  Hundredth  Anniversary 
of  the  Exploration  of  Ancient  Woodbury.  Though  born  in  Ohio,  I 
have  been  led  to  respect  and  cherish  the  local  history  of  old  Con- 
necticut, the  birth-place  and  home  of  all  my  ancestors  for  two  hun- 
dred years.  If,  therefore,  other  engagements  will  allow,  I  will  surely 
attend.  Very  truly  yours, 

W,  Cothren,  Esq.  JOHN  SHERMAN. 

Sentiment  by  Hon.  Rotal  Ralph  Hinman,  of  Hartford,  a  na- 
tive of  Southbury  : — 

"  May  the  present  descendants  of  Woodbury  become  as  great  and 
good  as  were  their  ancestors,  the  first  settlers." 


193 

Sentiment  by  Sherman  Tdttle,  Esq.,  of  Southbury : — 
"  Our  honored  ancestors  :  may  we  imitate  their  virtues,  and  ever 
cherish  their  memories  with  tender  emotions." 

From  Samuel  Fuller,  D.  D.,  of  Andover,  Mass. : — 

Andover,  Mass.,  Feb.  14,  1859. 
My  Dear  Sir  : — I  thank  you  and  the  Committee  for  their  hearty 
invitation  to  be  present  at  your  proposed  meeting  next  July.  I  can 
only  now  say,  that  I  shall  come  if  possible,  and  shall  take  the  liberty 
of  inviting  my  only  sister,  Mrs.  Lester,  of  Renssellaerville,  who  was 
born  on  the  south  side  of  Judson  Lane,  a  little  east  of  the  Pompe- 
raug,  to  accompany  me.  Such  a  gathei'ing  I  have  long  desired,  and 
I  pray  the  Lord  may  allow  me  to  be  one  of  the  great  assembly. 

Most  truly  yours, 

S.  FULLER. 

From  Col.  Henrt  Stoddard,  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  a  native  of 
Woodbury : — 

Dayton,  June  29,  1859. 
P.  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir : — Several  years  since  I  addressed  a  letter  to  the  late 
Judge  Phelps,  in  answer  to  one  from  him,  requesting  information  in 
relation  to  Major  Amos  Stoddard,  who  was  a  native  of  Woodbury, 
which  might  enable  Mr.  Cothren  to  take  some  notice  of  Major 
Stoddard  in  his  history  of  Woodbury,  which  he  did  in  very  favorable 
terms.  In  my  letter  to  Judge  Phelps,  (which  Mr.  Cothren  may  still 
have,)  I  stated  the  manner  in  which  Major  Stoddard's  military  chest 
and  papers  came  into  my  possession,  and  I  alluded  to  a  small  manu- 
script volume  of  miscellaneous  productions  of  his  pen,  and  amongst 
others,  a  sermon  in  verse. 

Under  the  impression  that  the  novelty  of  such  a  production  from  a 
man  of  a  military  character  would  not  be  inappropriate  to  such  an 
occasion  as  your  Anniversary  celebration,  and  might  amuse  some  of 
those  who  may  be  present  on  the  fourth  and  fifth  of  July,  and  as  its 
tone,  and  the  sentiments  it  promulgates  are  not  unfavorable  to  the 
character  of  its  author,  (a  native  of  our  old  toAvn,)  my  son  has  copied, 
and  I  herewith  send  it  to  you,  to  be  disposed  of  as  your  Committee 
shall  think  proper. 

I  have  up  to  this  time  had  a  lingering  hope  that  I  should  be  able 
to  be  with  you  on  the  fourth  and  fifth,  but  the  causes  which  led  me 
to  the  expression  of  the  fears  which  I  stated  in  my  note  to  you  on 


194 

the  11th  inst.,  still  exist,  and  I  shall  not  b^  able  to  make  the  visit  to 
the  place  of  my  birth,  which  would  afford  me  so  much  pleasure. 

I  assure  you  and  your  Committee,  my  dear  sir,  that  it  would  afford 
me  great  satisfaction  to  be  with  you  and  the  few  of  my  early  ac- 
quaintances who  are  still  living,  though  I  fear  that  after  an  absence 
of  more  than  half  a  century,  I  should  find  their  number  so  small,  I 
should  indeed  be  a  stranger.  Your  jubilee,  and  the  proceedings 
indicated  in  your  circular,  cannot  fail  to  be  interesting  to  all  who 
shall  be  permitted  to  witness  them,  and  especially  to  those  like  my- 
self, who  have  long  been  absent  from  the  scenes  of  their  childhood. 

Accept,  dear  sir,  for  yourself  and  the  citizens  of  our  ancient  town, 
my  acknowledgment  for  their  kind  remembrance  of 
Yours  respectfully, 

HENRY  STODDARD. 

P.  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq.,  Chairman,  &c. 

A  Sermon.     By  Maj.  Amos  Stoddard,  a  native  of  Woodbury. 

"  Why  art  thou  so  full  of  heaviness,  O  my  soul,  and  why  art  thou  so  disquieted 
within  me  ?  put  thy  trust  in  God  ! " — Psalm  42  :  6,  7. 

Why  drops  the  head?  Why  languishes  the  eye? 

What  means  the  flowing  tear,  and  swelling  sigh  ? 

Where  are  the  lenient  med'cines  to  impart 

Their  balmy  virtue  to  a  bleeding  heart  ? 

Fruitless  are  all  attempts  of  kind  relief. 

To  mix  her  cordial,  and  allay  my  grief. 

So  strong  my  anguish — so  severe  my  pain, 

Weak  is  philosophy,  and  reason  vain ; 

Their  rules  like  fuel  make  my  passions  glow, 

Quicken  each  pang,  and  point  the  sting  of  woe. 

Imagination  strives  to  please  the  eye, 

While  dark'ning  tempests  skirt  the  floating  sky — 

And  fancy  no  sweet  thoughts  can  now  suggest 

To  lull  the  raging  tumult  of  my  breast. 

In  vain  chaste  mirth  invites — or  friendship  calls, 

Wit  dies  a  jest,  and  conversation  palls ; 

The  works  of  art  and  nature  dull  appear, 

And  each  obtruding  thought  creates  despair — 

No  scenes  amuse  me  which  amus'd  before. 

And  what  delighted  once  delights  no  more, 

The  wide  creation  beautiful  appears. 

And  nature's  aspect  a  rich  verdure  wears ! 


195 

Yet  still  her  bloom  with  sickening  eyes  I  see 
And  all  her  luxury  is  lost  to  me. 
The  budding  plants  of  variegated  hue, 
The  blossoms  op'ning  with  the  morning  dew — 
The  vernal  breeze  which  gently  fans  the  flowers, 
The  laughing  meadows  and  distilling  showers — 
The  enamel'd  garden  where  the  works  of  art 
Give  strength  to  nature — and  fresh  charms  impart- 
Where  gaudy  pinks  and  blushing  roses  bloom, 
Rich  in  array,  and  fragrant  with  perfump — 
Where  Flora  smiling  sees  her  ofispring  vie, 
To  spread  their  beauties,  and  regale  the  eye — 
Alas  !  all  in  vain  with  charms  united  glow. 
To  deck  the  scene,  or  gild  the  face  of  woe. 
So  when  the  morning  lark  ascending  sings, 
While  joy  attunes  her  voice,  and  mounts  her  wings- 
Tho'  to  her  cheerful  notes  the  hills  reply, 
And  warbling  music  dances  round  the  sky — 
Still  in  her  strains  no  pleasing  charms  I  find, 
No  sweet  enchantment  to  compose  my  mind  ; 
In  vain  the  sun  his  gaudy  pride  displays, 
No  genial  warmth  attends  his  fervent  rays. 
So  when  his  absent  light  the  moon  supplies, 
And  planets  glitter  to  enrich  the  skies — 
No  gleam  of  comfort  from  their  lustre  flows. 
No  hai'binger  of  peace,  or  calm  repose  ; 
But  gloomy  vapors  o'er  the  night  prevail, 
And  pestilence  is  spread  in  ev'ry  gale ! 
Thus  weakened  by  a  gradual  decay. 
With  sighs  I  pass  the  melancholy  day ; 
Prepare  to  drink  life's  bitter  draught  with  pain. 
And  thirsty  still,  alas  !  I  taste  again ! 
But  stop  !  O  man,  thy  plaintive  strains  suppress. 
With  Christian  patience  learn  to  acquiesce — 
The  instructive  voice  of  reason  calmly  hear. 
And  let  religion  check  the  starting  tear. 
What  e'er  the  will  of  Providence  assigns, 
'Tis  infidelity  alone  repines. 
For  those  who  trust  in  God  disdain  to  grieve. 
And  what  our  Father  sends,  with  joy  receive ; 


196 

Whose  sharp  convictions  testify  his  love, 

And  certain  blessings  in  the  end  will  prove, 

Who  sees  liow  man  would  err  without  conti'ol, 

Afflicts  the  body  to  improve  the  soul ; 

By  power  on  man  he  lays  what  man  deserves, 

And  by  chastisement — thus  the  whole  preserves, 

So  that  though  low'ring  skies  and  strengthening  gales, 

Should  raise  a  mighty  storm,  and  rend  the  skies — 

Yet  if  calm  reason  at  the  helm  preside, 

My  little  barque  will  stem  the  frowning  tide — 

And  adverse  currents  shall  at  last  convey, 

The  shattered  vessel  to  the  realms  of  day ! 

Thus  satisfied — how  rash  it  is  for  man. 

When  under  God's  correction  to  complain ! 

My  soul  with  sad  disquietude  opprest, 

Directs  her  flight  to  heav'n  in  search  of  I'est — 

And  refuge  take — (which  peace  at  last  will  bring) 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  th'  Almighty's  wing. 

On  him  I  fix  my  mind,  and  place  my  trust, 

A  being  infinitely  wise  and  just — 

And  if  his  Providence  some  beams  create 

To  brighten  the  complexion  of  my  fate — 

My  thankful  tribute  to  his  throne  I'll  i-aise, 

In  joyful  hymns  of  gratitude  and  praise  ; 

But  should  indulgence  suit  not  his  designs 

Who  evil  into  happiness  refines — 

Let  due  submission  make  my  bui'den  light. 

And  constant  think — "Whatever  is — is  right!" 

Then  be  thou  not  disquieted  my  soul. 

Have  lively  faith — and  that  shall  make  thee  whole. 

When  heav'n  inflicts — with  calmness  bear  the  stroke, 

Since  to  repine,  is  only  to  provoke ; 

Learn  to  adore  the  justice  of  thy  God, 

And  kiss  the  sacred  hand  which  holds  the  rod, 

That  sacred  hand  which  first  the  heart  explores. 

Probes  ev'ry  wound,  and  searches  all  the  sores ; 

Then  the  right  medicine  properly  applies 

To  cleanse  the  part  where  deep  infection  lies  ! 

Hear  this,  thou  coward  man — nor  dread  the  smart, 

AVhich  tho'  it  stings,  will  purify  the  heart ; 


197 


For  resignation  will  promote  the  cure, 
And  tho'  the  means  are  sharp — the  end  is  sure. 
Since  then  afflictions  are  thro'  mercy  sent, 
To  be  of  good  the  happy  instrument ; 
Since  for  the  noblest  ends  they  are  designed, 
To  form  the  judgment  and  improve  the  mind; 
To  curb  our  passions — to  direct  our  love, 
To  awe  mankind,  and  speak  a  God  above; 
O  may  I  view  them  with  religious  eye, 
AVithout  a  murmur  and  without  reply. 
Hence  shall  I  taste  the  sweets  which  evils  bring, 
And  seek  the  honey  while  I  feel  the  sting ; 
Hence  shall  I  learn  the  bitter  cup  to  bless. 
And  drink  it  as  a  draught  of  happiness  ; 
A  wholesome  potion  which — tho'  mix'd  with  gaJl, 
May  still  preserve  my  life — my  soul — my  all ! 
So  though  the  promis'd  fruit  should  fail  the  vine, 
The  fig-tree  sicken,  and  its  bloom  decline  ; 
The  labor  of  the  olive  be  in  vain. 
And  flocks  infested,  perish  on  the  plain ; 
Tho'  corn  and  oil,  and  wine  at  once  decrease. 
The  fields  grow  barren,  and  the  harvests  cease ; 
The  baffled  hinds  their  fruitless  toil  deplore, 
And  vales  uncheerful — "  laugh  and  sing  no  more," 
Yet  still  with  gladness  would  I  serve  the  Lord, 
Adore  his  wisdom,  and  obey  his  word ! 
Hear  thou,  O  God !  regard  a  suppliant's  prayer. 
Soothe  all  my  pangs,  and  save  me  from  despair. 
Illuminate  my  soul  with  gladsome  rays, 
And  tune  my  voice  to  thy  eternal  praise, — 
Dispel  the  clouds  of  darkness  from  my  eyes, 
And  make  me  know  that  to  be  good  is  wise. 
Let  christian  precepts  all  my  soul  employ, 
And  be  not  more  my  duty  than  my  joy  ; 
Let  conscience  void  of  art  and  free  from  guile, 
Still  in  my  bosom  innocently  smile ; 
Her  cheerful  beams  will  gild  the  face  of  fate. 
And  make  me  happy  in  whatever  state. 
Hence  shall  I  learn  my  talent  to  irapi"ove, 
If  poor  by  patience,  and  if  rich  by  love  ; 
24 


198 


If  fortune  smiles,  let  me  be  virtue's  friend, 

And  where  I  go,  let  charity  attend ; 

Within  my  bosom,  let  compassion  dwell. 

To  soften  all  the  woes  which  others  feel ; 

T'  assuage  by  kind  relief  affliction's  sighs. 

And  wipe  the  bursting  teai's  from  widows'  eyes ; 

To  feed  the  hungry — the  distress'd  to  cheer. 

The  needy  succor,  and  the  feeble  rear ! 

Hence  shall  my  mind  inflamed  with  public  good, 

Unshaken  stand  where  plenty  rolls  her  flood ! 

Hence  shall  I  scorn  temptation's  gilded  bait, 

Look  with  disdain  upon  the  pomp  of  state, — 

And  by  humility  be  truly  wise. 

Learn  vice  to  shun,  and  grasp  the  christian's  prize. 

But  if  it  be  thy  blessed  will  to  spread 

Clouds  of  thick  darkness,  low'ring  o'er  my  head, 

Let  me  have  grace  to  know  in  my  distress 

I  still  to  thee  may  have  a  free  access, — 

And  be  an  heir  (tho'  all  the  world  should  frown,) 

Of  heav'nly  glory  and  a  future  crown. 

From  these  reflections  true  contentment  flows, — 

Contentment  such  as  grandeur  seldom  knows  ; 

Hence  in  the  lonely  cot  a  relish  springs. 

Above  the  taste  of  courts,  and  pride  of  kings ! 

Thus  in  the  flood  of  wealth  be  thou  my  guide, 

And  steer  my  course  'twixt  av'rice  and  pride. 

Or  in  the  ebb  of  fortune  teach  my  mind 

To  know  its  duty,  and  to  be  resign'd. 

Prepare  me  to  receive  or  good  or  ill, 

As  the  result  of  thy  almighty  will ; 

Thy  will  whose  chief  design  and  gen'ral  plan 

Tend  to  promote  to  happiness  of  man ! 

Be  ev'ry  sensual  appetite  supprest, 

Nor  the  least  taint  be  lurking  in  my  breast ; 

Let  steady  reason  my  affections  guide. 

And  calm  content  set  smiling  at  my  side ; 

Teach  me  with  scorn  to  view  the  things  below 

As  gaudy  phantoms  and  an  empty  show. 

But  fix  my  mind  upon  the  things  above, 

As  the  sole  object  of  a  christian's  love ! 

Make  me  reflect  on  my  eternal  home, 

A  dying  Saviour  and  a  life  to  come ; 


199 

Then  shall  I — as  instructed  by  thy  Son, 
In  ev'ry  station  say — "  thy  will  be  done  !  " 
March  18,  1791. 

From  Hon.  Thomas  B.  Butler,  of  Norwalk,  Judge  of  the  Superior 
Court. 

Bridgeport,  Feb.  lltli,  1859. 
Friend  Cothren  : — I  thank  you  cordially  for  your  invitation.  I 
do  not  expect  lo  be  in  this  section  of  the  country,  at  the  time  named. 
If  I  am,  I  will  be  at  Woodbury.  Having  once  resided  there,  and 
having  warm  recollections  of  kindness  and  attention  from  many  of  its 
living  citizens,  I  should  enjoy  the  occasion. 

Very  truly  yours, 

THOS.   B.  butler. 

From  Miss  Julia  E.  Smith  and  sister,  of  Glastenbury,  Conn., 
friends  and  ardent  lovers  of  the  history  of  Ancient  Woodbury. 

To  the  Honorable  Gommitiee  appointed  for  the  Celebration  of  the  Two 
Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  Exploration  of  Ancient  Woodbury. 

As  daughters  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  in  right  of  our  late  mother, 
who  was  born  and  bred  within  her  limits,  and  who  received  an  edu- 
cation there,  which  would  do  honor  to  the  young  ladies  of  the  present 
age,  we  would  make  our  most  grateful  acknowledgments  to  the  hon- 
orable committee  for  their  circular  of  invitation,  and  programme  of 
the  proceedings  on  that  memorable  occasion.  It  is  with  much  regret 
that  under  our  present  circumstances,  we  cannot  avail  ourselves  of 
the  great  privilege  of  once  more  meeting  beloved  friends,  and  behold- 
ing the  faces  of  those  we  honor  and  respect,  though  not  of  our  per- 
sonal acquaintance.  It  is  also  no  small  sacrifice  to  our  feelings,  that 
we  must  be  denied  the  pleasure  of  hearing  the  living  voice  of  esteemed 
speakers,  particularly  of  the  eminent  author  of  that  most  interesting 
History  of  Ancient  Woodbury. 

With  heart-felt  wishes  for  the  prosperous  termination  of  these  two 
illustrious  days,  and  that  the  sons  of  the  birth-place  of  our  maternal 
ancestors  may  so  live  as  to  do  honor  to  their  noble  progenitors,  and 
that  her  daughters  may  rise  up  and  become  a  blessing  to  their  age 
and  generation,  is  the  sincere  desire  of 

Your  obliged  friends  the  descendants  of  Ancient  Woodbury, 

Misses  SMITH. 

Glastenbury,  June  27th,  1859. 


200 

From  Hon.  John  E.  Hinman,  of  Utica,  New  York,  a  native  of 
Southbury : — 

Utica,  May  17,  1859. 
Messrs.  Trowbridge,  Bull,  Judd,  and  others,  Committee,  &c. : 

Gentlemen: — Your  kind  invitation  of  the  1st  inst.  to  join  your 
celebration  of  "  The  Two  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  Exploration 
of  Ancierft  Woodbury,"  by  that  noble  band  of  pioneers  who  sought 
a  retuge  and  a  home,  and  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  found 
an  empire,  was  duly  received. 

Nothing  could  aiford  me  greater  pleasure  than  to  unite  with  the 
good  people  of  Woodbury  in  their  proposed  demonstration  of  honor, 
respect  and  gratitude  for  the  memory  of  those  who  first  explored 
and  settled  this  ancient  and  favored  town — a  town  renowned  in  the 
history  of  the  Colony  and  State  of  Connecticut ;  a  town  which  fur- 
nished its  just  (and  I  am  proud  to  say,  liberal,)  quota  of  men  and 
means  in  a  glorious  struggle  for  civil  liberty  and  national  independ- 
ence. 

At  the  mention  of  Woodbury,  a  thousand  recollections  and  associ- 
ations come  upon  the  mind.  There  rest  the  hallowed  remains  of 
many  generations  of  my  ancestors  ;  and  there,  too,  reside  many  of 
their  descendants,  whom  I  greatly  regard. 

Age  and  infirmity  will  prevent  me  from  being  personally  present 
at  your  celebration,  but  in  heart  and  in  spirit  I  am  most  cordially 
with  you. 

With  many  thanks  for  your  kind  attention,  and  best  wishes  and 
prayers  for  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  good  people  of  "  An- 
cient Woodbury,"  and  wishing  the  world  would  follow  their  good 
example,  I  am,  dear  sir,  most  truly  and  respectfully  yours, 

JOHN  E.  HINMAN. 

From  R.  F.  Trowbridge,  Esq.,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Syracuse,  10th  July,  1859. 

My  dear  Mr.  Cothren  : — I  regretted  that  I  was  compelled  to  leave 
Woodbury  without  bidding  you  a  good-by,  although  I  deputized 
Mr.  Trowbridge  to  do  so  for  me.  The  interest  and  pleasure  which 
it  was  my  happy  fortune  to  find  in  your  classic  and  beautiful  town, 
not  only  repaid  me  all  my  trouble  in  reaching  that  picturesque  spot, 
but,  believe  me,  dear  sir,  when  I  say  it  is  the  happiest  recollection 
which  my  memory  can  present.  The  many  interests  and  pleasures 
which  were  crowded  into  the  brief  space  of  time,  and  which  were 
so  unexpected  by  me,  will  serve  to  brighten  many  hours  of  cheerful 


201 

retrospect  in  the  years  to  come.  I  can  now  scarcely  realize  that  it 
was  not  all  a  dream,  a  light  and  happy  dream  which  flitted  over  my 
dull,  daily  working  life,  and  left  its  ideal  impressions  upon  my  mem- 
ory and  my  heart.  I  came  among  you  a  stranger  ;  I  left  with  many 
new  tenants  in  my  breast,  whose  worth  and  excellence  have  become 
already  very  dear  to  me. 

I  shall  commence  to-morrow  to  jot  down  for  the  compositors  up 
stairs,  sofhe  of  the  incidents  and  impressions  which  I  received  of 
the  people,  the  ceremonies,  the  character  and  customs  of  the  Puritan 
State.  There  has  been  hanging  for  years  in  my  library  a  portrait  of 
Gov.  Trumbull,  together  with  a  Second  Lieutenant's  Commission 
issued  by  him  ;  and  often  when  I  look  at  it,  the  remark  of  Wash- 
ington comes  to  my  memory :  "  That  Gov.  T.  was  always  his  forlorn 
hope  ;  that  he  was  the  only  person  on  whom  he  could  draw  at  sight 
for  men  or  munitions,  and  the  draft  was  never  dishonored!"  I 
cannot  now  tell  you  where  I  learned  it,  but  read  it,  or  heard  it  from 
some  authentic  source. 

I  am  under  many  obligations  to  you  for  your  kind  hospitalities, 
and  the  friendly  interest  you  manifested  toward  me,  even  under  the 
pressure  of  so  much  weight  upon  your  attention.  Be  assured,  my 
dear  sir,  that  I  fully  appreciate  it,  and  shall  expect  an  opportunity 
of  repaying  it,  as  a  matter  of  my  right. 

Please  accept  of  my  most  sincere  regard. 

Very  truly  yours,  R.  F.  TROWBRIDGE. 

Wm.  Cothren,  Esq. 

From  J0NATHA.N  Knight,  M.  D,,  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Profes- 
sor in  Yale  College  : — 

New  Haven,  June  30,  1859. 
To  Wm.  Cothren,  Esq.,  Woodbury  : 

Dear  Sir : — I  received,  a  long  time  since,  an  invitation  to  attend 
the  centennial  celebration  of  the  settlement  of  Woodbury,  on  the 
4th  prox.,  for  which  I  beg  to  acknowledge  my  indebtedness.  From 
the  time  I  first  learned  that  such  a  celebration  was  to  be  held,  I  have 
intended  to  be  present  at  it.  I  might  have  availed  myself  of  your 
invitation,  and  come  as  a  guest,  but  suppose  I  can  be  there  of  right 
as  one  of  Woodbury  descent.  My  mother's  grandfather  was  born 
in  Woodbury.  He  was  Rev.  Benjamin  Strong,  the  first  clergyman 
of  the  Parish  of  Stanwich,  where  he  officiated  from  1735  to  1756. 
I  have  been  able  to  learn  very  little  concerning  him,  as  the  Church 
records  of  Stanwich  were  destroyed  by  fire  a  few  years  ago.     I  sup- 


202  • 

pose  he  was  the  Benjamin   Strong  whose  name  is  in  the  history  of 
Woodbury  as  having  been  born  in  1710. 

I  judge  so  merely  from  the  identity  of  the  name,  and  the  corres- 
pondence of  the  time  of  his  birth,  with  the  probable  age  of  the  min- 
ister of  Stanwich.  I  hope  by  further  inquiries  to  find  out  something 
more  about  him.  With  much  esteem,  yours  truly, 

J.  KNIGHT. 

m 

From  Hon.  Royal  Ralph  HiNxMAN,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  a  native 
of  Southbury  : — 

P.  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq. : 

Dear  Sir  : — I  informed  you  in  my  previous  letter  that  I  would 
write  to  you  again,  whether  I  would  attend  at  Woodbury  the  4lh  day 
of  July,  and  you  know  nothing  but  ill  health  would  prevent  my 
being  present  at  the  celebration  of  so  important,  as  well  as  pleasing, 
an  event,  of  our  own  first  ancestors  in  this  country.  I  do  not  feel 
able  to  attend  at  Woodbury,  which  I  very  much  regret. 

The  performances  of  the  day  will  restore  not  to  life,  but  to  recol- 
lection, the  ancient  fathers  of  Woodbury,  with  their  standing  and 
biography,  to  their  fifth,  sixth,  seventh,  and  some  of  the  eighth  gene- 
rations ;  and  the  old  cemetery  will  confirm  the  fact  that  they  lived 
and  died  there.  Rev.  Zechariah  Walker,  who  was  the  first  Minis- 
ter, and  a  principal  cause  of  the  settlement,  will  figure  largely  on 
this  occasion,  and  Hon.  Seth  P.  Beers,  and  others  of  his  descendants 
will  probably  be  present  to  hear  the  standing  of  their  progenitor. 

John  Minor,  (the  son  of  Thomas,  of  Pequot,)  the  Interpreter  of 
the  Indian  language,  and  Town  Clerk  of  Stratford  and  Woodbury, 
a  first  settler ;  Capt.  Wm.  Curtiss,  (Curtice)  another  important  first 
settler,  and  a  grantee  of  the  town  ;  Hon.  Samuel  Sherman,  of  Strat- 
ford, will  not  be  forgotten  on  this  day,  as  well  as  his  son.  Worshipful 
John  Sherman,  Joseph  Judson,  Senior,  from  Concord,  Mass.,  a  sub- 
scriber at  Stratford,  of  the  fundamental  articles  of  the  settlement,  as 
was  his  son,  John. 

While  the  foregoing  will  be  noticed  at  the  meeting,  as  well  as 
Col.  Joseph  Minor,  Titus  Hinman,  (then  young,)  Hackaliah  Preston, 
and  his  son  William,  and  many  others  too  numerous  to  mention  ; 
last,  though  not  least,  those  of  a  later  date,  the  Thompsons,  Grahams, 
Benedicts,  Stoddards,  Smiths,  Bacons,  Phelpses,  and  others,  will  not 
be  forgotten  on  this  occasion.     Most  respectfully  yours, 

ROYAL  R.  HINMAN. 

YoNKERS,  N.  Y.,  June  26,  1859. 


203 

From  Prof.  Harvey  P.  Peet,  LL,  D.,  of  New  York,  a  native 
of  Bethlem,  and  Professor  in  the  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb, 
New  York. 

Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,") 
New  York,  June  30,  1859.  | 

Gentlemen  : — Though  strongly  tempted  to  avail  myself  of  your 
kind  invitation  to  meet  with  my  old  neighbors  and  townsmen,  and 
their  worthy  descendants,  to  celebrate  the  second  centenary  of  the 
exploration  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  I  find  that  imperative  official 
duties  will  deprive  me  of  that  gratification.  I  will,  however,  at 
least  be  with  you  in  spirit,  contributing,  for  the  intellectual  fruit  of 
your  pic-nic,  a  few  thoughts  and  reminiscences,  which,  I  trust,  you 
will  be  in  the  mood  to  receive  with  friendly  indulgence.  And  I 
anticipate  to  receive,  in  return,  far  better  than  I  send,  when  I  come 
to  read  the  record  of  your  sayings  and  doings  on  the  occasion. 

The  large  appetite  of  our  ancestors  for  intellectual  food,  in  their 
day  hardly  accessible  except  from  the  pulpit,  is  strikingly  shown  by 
the  circumstance  that  it  was  the  immediate  cause  of  the  founding  of 
our  ancient  mother  town.  The  Rev.  Zachariah  Walker  continued  his 
sermon  so  long,  that  he  overpassed  the  two  hours  allowed  for  the 
occupation  of  the  meeting-house  in  Stratford,  by  agreement  with  the 
other  division  of  the  Church.  Thus  compelled  to  remove  into  the 
wilderness,  or  stint  themselves  in  spiritual  and  intellectual  nourish- 
ment, they  took  care  in  their  "  fundamental  articles,"  to  reserve 
ample  "  accommodations  for  ye  ministry,"  and  "  a  parsell  of  land  for 
ye  incouraging  a  schoole,  that  learning  may  not  be  neglected  to 
children."  And  let  us  add  our  prayers  to  those  of  the  worthy  Dea- 
con Minor,  when  he  kneeled  upon  Good  Hill,  just  two  centuries  ago, 
the  grand  wilderness  temple  with  its  gray  pillars  and  green  canopy, 
towering  above  him,  and  before  him  the  lovely  valley  of  the  Pompe- 
raug,  then  first  revealing  its  fertile  intervals  to  Christian  eyes — that 
the  posterity  of  those  founders,  to  the  remotest  generations,  may 
never  neglect  the  worship  of  God,  their  duty  to  their  fellow  men,  or 
the  training  and  schooling  of  their  children. 

Many  and  eloquent  will  be  the  voices  of  bards  and  orators  among 
you,  and  fitting  commemoration  will,  I  know,  be  given  to  the  rude 
virtues  of  the  red  men  who  once  glided  through  the  woods,  not  for- 
getting the  love-lorn  Waramaukeag,  or  that  "  potent  prince,"  the 
Christian  sachem,  Weraumaug,  at  whose  death-bed  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Boardman  had  his  great  praying  match  with  an  Indian  Powwow,  by 


204 

sheer  energy  and  perseverance  in  prayer,  vanquishing  the  devil-wor- 
shiper, and  driving  him  into  the  Housatonic. 

Such  were  our  fathers,  sturdy  in  work,  potent  in  prayer,  solicitous 
as  early  and  as  much  to  have  a  place  of  public  worship,  and  provide 
schooling  for  their  children,  as  to  minister  to  the  temporal  wants  of 
their  families.  Hence  the  public  spirit  of  the  New-Englanders,  so 
largely  manifested  in  churches,  schools,  and  colleges. 

As  they  hewed  down  the  wilderness,  its  ancient  inhabitants,  fierce 
and  untamable  as  they  were,  vanished  after  a  few  short  but  sharp 
struggles.  The  red  men  are  gone,  leaving  no  more  enduring  monu- 
ments than  the  heap  of  pebbles  that  marks  the  grave  of  a  chieftain ; 
for  while  degenerate  Americans  break  off  and  carry  away,  the  red 
men  piously  added  stones  to  the  monuments  of  the  great,  or  the  bed 
of  shells,  where  clams  and  oysters  had  ministered,  during  uncounted 
generations,  to  the  sustenance  of  a  village.  If,  as  some  believe,  their 
shades,  instead  of  dwelling  in  their  own  happy  hunting-grounds,  yet 
linger  around  the  scenes  where  their  lives  passed,  how  must  tlie 
woods  and  rocks  around  you  appear  to  anointed  eyes  populous  with 
dark  forms  and  mournful  faces ;  and  how  will  their  spectral  eyes 
flash  up  at  the  sight  of  your  "Amateur  Indian  Encampment "  on  one 
of  their  ancient  seats  ! 

I  am  tempted  to  dwell  a  moment  on  the  unselfish  patriotism  of  our 
fathers,  who,  though  enjoying  peace  in  their  own  inland  borders,  went 
forth,  leaving  scarcely  an  able-bodied  man  behind,  even  to  gather 
the  corn,  to  peril  their  lives  in  defence  of  their  countrymen  in  more 
exposed  situations.  Who  can  read,  without  a  thrill  of  ancestral 
pride,  of  the  eight  hundred  able-bodied  men  from  one  town  of  five 
thousand  souls,  who,  hke  a  Highland  clan  gathering  to  the  summons 
of  the  fiery  cross,  left  their  safe  and  happy  homes,  to  "  moisten  with 
their  blood  every  battle-field,"  in  the  long  and  often  doubtful  struggle 
for  independence  ?  And  while  the  younger  and  more  hardy  were 
bearing  aloft  the  flag  of  their  country  at  Long  Island  and  White 
Plains,  as  afterward  with  better  fortune  at  Bennington  and  Saratoga, 
those  whom  age  or  other  causes  exempted  from  regular  service, 
enrolled  themselves  in  a  volunteer  corps,  each  man  providing  him- 
self with  "  a  good  gun,  sword  or  bayonet,  and  cartridge  box,  for  the 
defence  of  our  invaluable  rights  and  privileges,  and  promise  to  sup- 
port the  same  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,"  as  the  agreement  of  the 
Bethlem  volunteers  reads, — in  the  last  sentence  emulating  the  lofty 
spirit  of  the  signers  of  that  immortal  Declaration,  that  had  then  just 
gone  forth  to  fill  the  public  mind,  and  elevate  the  national  feeling 


205 

with  the  consciousness  of  a  new  nationality,  destined  to  fulfill  the 
famous  prophecy  of  Berkely — 

"  Westward  the  course  of  Empire  takes  its  way." 

* 

I  will  trust  yet  further  to  your  indulgence,  while  I  say  a  few  words 
of  the  peculiar  favor  which  my  little  native  town  of  Bethlem  received 
from  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,,  in  the  succession  of  eminent 
pastors,  such  as  has  very  seldom  been  vouchsafed  to  any  one  town. 
From  the  first  formation  of  the  society  under  Dr.  Bellamy,  in  1739, 
to  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Langdon,  in  1825,  a  period  not  much  less 
than  a  century,  this  little  town,  among  the  hills,  enjoyed  with  but 
brief  cessations,  the  ministerial  care  of  pastors,  who,  as  theologians 
and  preachers,  and  two  of  them  as  teachers,  shone  as  stars  of  the  first 
magnitude  in  the  bright  firmament  of  New  England  worthies.  To 
Dr.  Backus,  the  second  pastor,  I  owe  a  more  special  tribute  of  grat- 
itude, as  under  his  ministry  my  first  religious  impressions  were 
received,  and  in  his  school  I  took  lessons  in  the  art  of  teaching,  in 
which  he  was  so  eminent.  Of  him  it  was  said,  that ''  when  out  of  the 
pulpit  he  ought  never  to  go  in,  and  when  in,  he  ought  never  to  go 
out."  In  or  out,  howevei',  he  was  as  one  of  David's  mighty  men, 
and  I  may  even  say,  that  he  "  attained  to  the  first  three  "  of  his  time. 
The  New  Haven  papers  that  announced  the  death  of  Dr.  Dwight, 
remarked  that  three  great  pillars  of  the  Church  had  just  been 
removed — Dr.  Dwight,  Dr.  Strong  of  Hartford,  and  Dr.  Backus, 
whose  deaths  were  all  announced  in  one  number  of  the  paper. 

The  time  has  long  since  gone  by,  when  the  people  of  Ancient 
Woodbury  were  content  with  the  currants  that  grew  on  the  increase 
of  a  few  twigs  brought  from  a  distant  town  by  one  of  our  mothers 
on  horseback,  or  with  mortars  like  the  primitive  contrivances  of  their 
"  red  brethren,"  to  grind  their  corn.  As  our  tastes  become  more  fas- 
tidious with  the  means  we  have  of  indulging  them,  and  you  will  be 
provided  with  intellectual  as  well  as  literal  fruit,  of  the  rarest  native 
flavor,  improved  by  scientific  culture,  and  ripened  by  genial  suns,  I 
will  offer  no  more  of  my  crude  currants  or  half-ground  grain,  but 
conclude  with  the  hope  that  the  occasion  may  be  one  of  such  unal- 
loyed enjoyment,  that  the  memory  of  it  may  endure  in  the  homes  of 
every  child  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  at  least  till  the  time  comes  for 
another  Centennial  Gathering. 

Very  sincerely  and  faithfully,  your  fellow  townsman, 

HARVEY  P.  PEET. 

Messrs.  John  C.  Ambler,  Wm.  R.  Harrison,  Com.  for  Bethlem. 
25 


206  * 

ODE  . 

BY    MISS^ORTENSIA    M.    THOMAS,    OF    WOODBURY. 

From  hill-side  and  mountain  glen,  hither  ye  come. 
Oh  !  earth  has  no  dearer  spot, — welcome  ye  home  ! 
Say,  ye  who  have  wandered  far  'neath  fairer  skies, 
Say  where  is  the  landscape  as  fair  in  your  eyes  ? 

Home,  home,  sweet,  sweet  home. 
Oh,  earth  hath  no  dearer  spot  than  home,  sweet  home ! 

"We  count  none  as  strangers  here,  if  they  can  claim 
That  love  for  their  country,  burns  pure  in  its  flame, 
While  mountains  or  rocky  hills  echo  our  song. 
All— all  the  chorus  join,  the  glad  notes  prolong. 

Home,  home,  sweet,  sweet  home. 
Oh,  earth  hath  no  dearer  spot  than  home,  sweet  home  ! 

Once  more  for  your  native  hearths  make  the  glad  strain. 
May  peace  spread  her  sheltering  wings  here  not  in  vain, 
And  God  grant  our  peaceful  homes  foster  not  pride, 
But  grace  that  shall  lead  to  a  home  by  His  side. 

Home,  home,  sweet,  sweet  home, 
May  we  all  to  that  mansion  fair,  be  welcomed  Home  ! 

From  Mrs.  Betsey  T.  A.  Whiting,  of  Vermillionville,  Illinois. 

Vermillionville,  111.,  June  8,  1859. 

Gentlemen  : — Having  received  your  kind  invitation  to  attend  the 
celebration  of  the  exploration  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  on  the  4th  and 
5th  of  July,  1859, 1  exceedingly  regret  that  ill  health  and  home  duties 
must  prevent  my  being  with  you.  I  am  a  daughter  of  New  England, 
and  although  attached  to  my  Western  home,  I  turn  with  fond  recollec- 
tions to  my  native  hill,  (Carmel  Hill,)  Bethlem,  and  old  associates, 
many  of  whom  I  trust  will  be  with  you  at  the  coming  Anniversary. 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  yourselves  and  those  you  represent, 
lor  your  kind  invitation,  also,  my  sincere  wishes  for  your  continued 
prosperity. 

BETSEY  T.  AMBLER  WHITING. 

Trowbridge,  Bull,  Judd,  &c.  ^ 


207 


From  Hon.  Henry  Booth,  of  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  recently  a 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  Pennsylvania,  and  now 
Professor  in  the  Poughkeepsie  Law  School. 

Poughkeepsie,  June  11,  1859. 
P.  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — Your  circular  and  note  of  invitation  came  to  hand  a 
month  since,  or  thereabouts  ;  and  I  have  deferred  answerino-  in  the 
faint  hope  that  I  might  at  length  see  my  way  so  clear  as  to  be  justi- 
fied in  giving  a  favorable  reply.  But  engagements  have  thickened 
on  me  to  such  an  extent  that  I  am  nearly  compelled  to  abandon  the 
idea  of  being  present,  even  on  an  occasion  so  interesting  as  your  an- 
ticipated jubilee.  I  have  come  to  this  conclusion  with  extreme  reluc- 
tance, and  will  yet  avail  myself  of  any  chance  that  occurs  ;  but  the 
prospect  is  so  extremely  unfavorable,  that  it  will  not  be  best  to  rely 
on  me  for  any  thing. 

Your  recollection  is  entirely  in  fault  (or  else  mine  is,)  with  regard 
to  my  ever  having  indulged  in  rhyme,  even  in  my  youthful  days ; 
and  my  occupation  and  studies  for  many  years  past,  have  been  far 
enough  removed  from  any  thing  of  the  kind.  Still  if  anything  could 
inspire  poetic  raptures,  it  would  be  an  occasion  like  the  one  you  have 
in  prospect ;  and  the  charms  of  both  eloquence  and  poetry  surely 
cannot  be  wanting  to  grace  your  jubilee. 

I  am  pleased  to  observe  that  the  able  and  indefatigable  historian 
of  Woodbury,  is  to  deliver  a  historical  address.  Nothing  could  be 
more  appropriate.  His  work  is  one  of  much  merit.  I  obtained  a 
copy  of  it  shortly  after  its  publication,  and  I  always  desired  to  thank 
him  personally  for  the  pleasure  which  the  perusal  gave  me,  as  well 
as  for  the  zeal,  industry,  and  perseverance  with  which  he  prosecuted 
his  work,  and  which  was  the  more  note-worthy  and  generous,  from 
the  fact  that  he  is  not  a  native  of  the  district  whose  records  and  local 
incidents  he  has  taken  so  much  pains  to  preserve.  If  he  has  failed 
of  receiving  a  suitable  pecuniary  compensation,  (as  I  fear  he  has,) 
he  will  at  least  reap  a  reward  in  the  esteem  of  the  community  of 
which  he  deserves  so  well. 

I  am  very  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

HENRY  BOOTH. 


208 

From  Rev.  Rufus  Murray,  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  a  native  of  Wood- 
bury. 

Detroit,  June  30,  1859. 
P.  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — I  received  your  letter  of  March  last,  inviting  me  to 
be  present  at  the  Woodbury  Centennial  Celebration,  and  I  have  since 
been  looking  forward  to  the  time  with  pleasure,  inasmuch  as  I  had 
made  up  my  mind  to  come  and  socially  commingle  with  my  native 
and  fellow  townsmen  in  their  festivities  and  historical  celebration  of 
the  "two  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  exploration  of  Ancient  Wood- 
bury," but  recent  sickness  in  my  family  will  prevent  my  being  pres- 
ent, which  I  exceedingly  regret,  as  nothing  would  have  been  so' grati- 
fying to  my  feelings  to  have  once  more  visited  my  native  town,  old 
Woodbury,  especially  at  this  time  on  the  interesting  occasion  antici- 
pated in  interchange  with  those  of  my  boyhood  days  and  youth,  who 
now,  with  myself,  have  grown  old  and  gray  with  the  frosts  of  more  than 
three  score  years ;  but  though  providentially  deprived  of  this  happy 
greeting  and  pleasure,  yet  I  am  not  unmindful  of  the  rich  legacy  left 
to  the  descendants  of  Woodbury,  by  her  ancient  and  noble  sires,  and 
I  most  cordially  congratulate  all  of  you  in  your  joy  and  most  worthy 
celebration  of  the  exploration  of  ancient  Woodbury ;   for  I  feel  to 
express,  and  can  truly  say,  not  only  from  early  associations,  but  vene- 
rated feelings  of  love,  honor  and  celebrity,  old  Woodbury,  "with  all 
thy  faults,  I  love  thee  still,"  indeed  she  is  identified  as  one  of  the 
first  of  the  ancient  towns  of  Connecticut,  for  her  patriotism,  zeal  and- 
love  of  country,  the  noblest  sentiments  that  can  warm  and  animate 
the  human  breast.     Nothing,  therefore,  and  no  time  more  appropri- 
ate than  the  glorious  Fourth,  our  Nation's  birth-day — our  country's 
independence,  for  your  jubilee;  when  all,  of  every  religious  sect,  and 
political  creed,  whatever  their  preference  or  faith,  are  lost  and  min- 
gled in  one  common  feeling  of  love  and  brotherhood  in  their  celebra- 
tion of  ancient  Woodbury,  as  well  as  their  freedom  and  independence. 
We  of  this  nation  have  been  most  remarkably  favored  with  the  visi- 
ble interference  and  protection  of  heaven;  for  there  are  in  our  own 
history,  so  many  plain  and  unequivocal  marks  of  a  divine  power  and 
assistance,  that  if  we  do  not  acknowledge  it,  and  rejoice  that  the  Loi'd 
God  Omnipotent  reigneth,  we  are  either  the  blindest  or  the  most 
ungrateful  people  on  earth.     For  when  we  look  back  upon  the  Ameri- 
can Republic,  the  theatre  of  those  events  which  tried  men's  souls, 
and  the  several  parts  they  acted,  we  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  pow- 
er of  him,  whose  kingdom  is  the  Lord's,  and  who  is  governor  among 


209 

the  nations.     But  our  fathers,  where  are  they  ?     This  question  may 
well  be  repeated  by  Americans  in  this  nineteenth  century. 

The  first  members,  too,  of  that  old  Congress,  when  and  where  was 
there  ever  such  another  assemblage  before,  or  since,  of  like  sterling 
worth,  profound  wisdom,  talent  energy  and  firmness  of  principle, 
bold  patriotism  and  resolute  courage;  ready  and  willing  to  sac- 
rifice their  all  on  their  country's  altar. 

That  small,  but  heroic  assemblage  of  high-born  souls,  congregated 
from  the  thirteen  colonies,  determined  to  be  free  or  die  in  the  sacred 
cause;  all  are  now  reaping  tlie  reward  of  their  patriotic  labors,  in 
eternity,  while  we  are  enjoying  the  legacy  they  bequeathed  us — free- 
dom and  independence — which  we  fancy  will  ever  be  held  in  lasting 
remembrance  by  every  true  American ;  for  too  well  does  the  present 
generation  appreciate  the  excellence  and  patriotism  of  those  men, 
who  guided  the  destinies  of  our  country  in  those  days  of  darkness  and 
bitter  trial;  too  well  does  it  estimate  the  glorious  events  which  have 
exalted  these  United  States  to  their  present  elevation  and  greatness ; 
and  too  well  do  they  reverence  the  wisdom  and  patriotism  they  bold- 
ly espoused  and  manifested  in  laying  the  foundation  and  platform  of 
our  glorious  republic,  ever  to  be  disregarded,  or  lost  to  the  remem- 
brance and  affections  of  future  posterity.  No,  while  the  world  shall 
stand,  may  the  heroic,  manly  and  christian  virtues  of  our  fathers,  as. 
well  as  the  causes  and  principles  of  that  memorable  event  of  our 
country's  declaration  of  independence  be  treasui'ed  up  and  garnered 
in  the  hearts  and  afiections  of  a  grateful  people,  and  the  more  sacred- 
ly regarded,  admired,  venerated  and  cherished,  the  farther  we  roll 
down  the  tide  of  time;  because  as  we  cherish  and  appi-eciate  the 
christian  Sabbath,  the  privileges  and  blessings  of  the  christian  religion, 
so  should  we  esteem  and  prize  our  civil  liberty,  our  counti-y's  freedom, 
our  nation's  birth-day.  The  legacy  is  ours,  and  just  is  the  everlasting 
law  that  hath  wedded  happiness  to  virtue.  In  fullness  is  its  worth — 
in  fullness  is  its  glory — in  fuUnes&^be  its  praise ! 

Most  respectfully  yours,  &c., 

RUFUS  MURRAY. 

From  Hon.  Hiland  Hall,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  a 
grandson  of  Ancient  Woodbury. 

North  Bennington,  Vermont,  July  1,  1859. 
Gentlkj^ien: — I  had  expected,  until  within  a  day  or  two  past,  to 
have  been  able,  in  compliance  with  your  invitation,  to  unite  with  you 
in  the  celebration  of  the  Two  Hundredth  anniversary  of  the  explora- 


210 

tion  of  ancient  "Woodbury,  but  I  now  find  it  will  be  impracticable  for 
me  to  do  so. 

My  father  was  born  in  ancient  Woodbury,  (Roxbury  Parish,)  in 
1763,  and  remained  an  inhabitant  of  the  town  until  1779,  where  he, 
as  a  member  of  the  family  of  my  grandfather,  removed  to  Benning- 
ton, and  settled  on  the  farm  on  which  I  now  live.  I  have  heard  much 
from  his  lips  of  "Woodbury  and  its  people,  and  have  long  had  a  desire 
to  visit  the  place.  I  had  fondly  hoped  to  gratify  that  desire  on  the 
approaching  anniversary  of  our  National  Independence,  but  find 
myself  compelled  reluctantly  to  forego  that  pleasure. 

Woodbury  has  also  peculiar  claims  upon  my  patriotic  feelings  as  a 
Vermonter.  It  was  the  birth-place  of  men  to  whom,  perhaps,  more 
than  to  all  others,  the  State  of  Vermont  owes  its  existence  as  an  inde- 
pendent Commonwealth. 

Prior  to  the  revolution,  the  lands  of  the  territory  now  comprising 
the  State  of  Vermont,  had  been  granted,  in  the  name  of  the  King,  by 
the  royal  Governor  of  the  province  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  set- 
tlers had  purchased  under  those  grants,  not  doubting  that  their  titles 
were  valid.  The  territory  was,  however,  claimed  by  the  governing 
authorities  of  New  York,  as  forming  a  portion  of  that  province,  and 
the  king,  from  political  considerations,  without  probably  designing  to 
interfere  with  previous  grants,  decided  the  controversy  in  favor  of 
New  York,  by  declaring  the  western  bank  of  Connecticut  river  to  be 
the  boundary  between  the  two  provinces.  Mr.  Colden,  the  Lieut. 
Governor  of  New  York,  not  satisfied  with  obtaining  the  jurisdiction 
of  a  territory  which  had  never  before  been  treated  by  the  crown  as 
belonging  to  that  province,  coveted,  for  the  benefit  of  himself  and 
friends,  the  right  of  soil  in  the  lands  already  granted.  He  accordingly 
proceeded  to  grant  them  anew  to  the  members  of  his  council,  the 
attorney-general  and  other  ofiicei's  of  government  and  favorites,  not 
forgetting  to  take  prudent  care  of  himself  and  family. 

When  the  settlers  declined  to  surrender  their  possessions  to  the 
new  claimants,  writs  of  ejectment  were  brought  against  them  before 
the  New  York  courts,  their  titles  declared  to  be  invalid,  and  writs  of 
possession  issued  against  them  in  favor  of  the  New  York  plaintiffs. 

Thus  far  all  had  been  tolerably  smooth  work  with  the  New  York 
land  speculators.  But  with  the  settlers  it  had  now  become  a  ques- 
tion whether  they  should  tamely  submit  to  the  unjust  oppression  of 
their  enemies,  or  resist  them  by  force.  Believing  their  situation  to 
be  one  which  fully  justified  revolution,  they  decided  upon  the  latter, 
and  Ethan  Allen,  Seth  Warner  and  Remember  Baker,  all  formerly 


belonging  to  Woodbury,  became  their  acknowledged  leaders.  They 
organized  a  body  of  volunteers  under  the  name  of  "  Green  Mountain 
Boys,"  and  forcibly  and  eflFectually  resisted  all  efforts  of  the  New 
York  sheriffs  and  their  posses  to  disturb  the  possessions  of  the  set- 
tlers or  to  establish  the  New  York  authority  over  them.  The  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  under  their  Woodbury  leaders,  resoi'ted  to  such 
primitive  modes  of  punishment  for  land-craving  intruders  as  were 
deemed  necessary  to  deter  them  from  invading  the  disputed  territory. 
A  few  of  the  most  obstinate  and  incorrigible  "  Yorkers,"  after  a  for- 
mal trial  before  a  committee  of  the  settlers,  were  punished,  as  described 
in  the  quaint  language  of  Ethan  Allen,  by  being  "chastised  with  the 
twigs  of  the  wilderness,  the  growth  of  the  land  they  coveted,"  which 
mode  of  punishment  was  familiarly  denominated  "f^e  application  of 
the  Beach  Seal,"  in  allusion  to  the  formal  land  patents  of  the  New 
York  governor,  of  which  the  pendent  seal  formed  a  distinguishing 
part.  It  had  the  intended  effect  of  terrifying  their  enemies  and  of 
preventing  further  intrusions. 

By  the  New  York  governor  and  council,  as  well  as  by  the  land 
jobbers,  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  were  assailed  with  many  oppro- 
brious epithets,  but  they  were  most  usually  denominated  "the  Ben- 
nington mob."  Various  methods  were  used  to  overcome  them.  They 
were  indicted  as  rioters,  repeated  proclamations  offering  rewards  for 
the  arrest  of  Allen,  Warner  and  Baker,  and  a  few  others,  were  issued, 
and  finally  they  were  declared  by  the  New  York  government  to  be 
outlaws,  and  without  a  hearing,  were  adjudged  to  suffer  death,  if  they 
neglected  to  surrender  themselves  for  the  space  of  seventy  days. 
But  all  these  efforts  of  the  New  York  authorities,  as  is  well  known, 
were  vain.  The  revolt  thus  begun  by  "the  Green  Mountain  Boys," 
was  continued  until  after  the  close  of  the  revolution,  when  the  titles 
of  the  settlers  under  New  Hampshire,  were  quieted,  by  the  admission 
of  Vermont  as  a  member  of  the  federal  union,  with  the  full  and  free 
consent  of  the  government  and  people  of  New  York. 

Nor  is  it  alone  against  the  land  speculators  of  New  York  that  the 
services  of  Allen,  Warner  &  Baker  are  deserving  of  grateful  remem- 
brance. They  were  equally  active  and  successful  in  their  opposition 
to  the  oppressions  of  the  mother  country.  The  news  of  the  shedding 
of  American  blood  at  Lexington,  had  no  sooner  reached  the  forests 
of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  than  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  were 
mustered  under  their  Woodbury  leaders,  and  in  a  few  days  they  were 
in  the  triumphant  possession  for  the  Continental  Congress,  of  the 
strong  fortresses  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point. 


212 

The  importance  of  this  event  in  the  American  Revolution,  can 
now  scarcely  be  apj^reciated.  It  was  at  once  seen  and  felt  by  the 
king's  high  tory  executive  of  New  York,  Lieut.  Governor  Golden, 
who  immediately  wrote  an  account  of  it  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  the 
British  Minister,  using  the  following  language.  "  A  matter  of  great 
importance  was  carried  out  in  the  northern  part  of  this  province,  no 
less  than  the  actual  taking  his  Majesty's  forts  at  Ticonderoga  and 
Crown  Point,  and  making  the  garrison  prisoners.  *  *  The  only 
people  of  this  province,"  he  adds,  "  who  had  any  hand  in  this  expe- 
dition, were  the  set  of  lawless  people  whom  your  Lordship  has  heard 
much  of  under  the  name  of  the  Bennington  mob.  They  were  joined  by 
a  party  from  Connecticut,  and  another  from  Massachusetts  Bay,"  &c. 

But  this  letter  has  already  grown  to  a  much  greater  length  than  I 
intended,  and  I  must  forbear  even  to  mention  the  numerous  other 
important  services  of  these  Woodbury  men  to  the  State  of  Vermont 
and  to  the  whole  country. 

The  State  of  Vermont  has  recently  erected  a  creditable  monument 
at  the  grave  of  Allen  in  Burlington,  and  lam  informed  that  the  peo- 
ple of  Connecticut  are  doing  themselves  equal  honor  by  placing  one 
over  the  remains  of  Warner  at  Roxbui-y.  He  was  a  hero  of  whom 
not  only  Woodbury,  but  Connecticut,  and  indeed  the  whole  country 
may  well  be  proud. 

Again,  expressing  my  regret  at  not  being  able  to  meet  and  form 
personal  acquaintance  the  ensuing  week  with  my  territorial  cousins 
of  Woodbury,   I  am,  gentlemen, 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 

HILAND  HALL. 

To  P.  M.  WooDBRiDGE,  Thomas  BuLL,  and  others.  Committee  of 
Invitation  to  the  Celebration  of  the  Two  Hundredth  Anniversary 
of  the  Exploration  of  ancient  Woodbury,  &c. 

Ancient  Portrait  Gallery. 

Agreeably  to  the  request  of  the  Committee  of  Invitation,  and  in 
conformity  to  a  vote  of  the  General  Committee,  Charles  B.  Crafts, 
Esq.,  of  New  Haven,  aided  by  Miss  Helen  Blackman,  of  New  Mil- 
foi'.  Miss  Helen  E.  Hinman,  of  Southbury,  and  others,  procured  and 
arranged  in  a  tasteful  manner,  at  Academy  Hall,  the  following  list 
of  portraits  and  antique  articles,  which  were  visited  and  admired  by 


213 

thousands.  Nothing  could  better  carry  the  mind  back  to  the  early 
days  of  the  fathers,  and  give  their  posterity  true  glimpses  of  the  past, 
than  these  portraits  and  relics,  that  had  come  down  to  us  from  a  "  for- 
mer generation."  The  sons  and  daughters  of  old  Woodbury  could  look 
with  pride  upon  the  faces  of  these  departed  ancestors,  who  had  lived 
and  labored  in  these  valleys,  and  who  by  their  wisdom,  patriotism 
and  virtues,  had  shed  an  ever  undiminished  lustre  upon  their  descend- 
ants. 

Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith  and  wife,  taken,  1807. 

Phineas  Smith  and  wife. 

Hon.  Nathan  Smith,  taken,  1834. 

Rev.  Noah  Benedict  and  son. 

Rev.  Samuel  R.  Andrews,  taken,  1826. 

Wife  of  Rev.  Lyman  Smith. 

Rev.  Charles  Sherman. 

Gen.  Chauncey  Crafts,  1826. 

Rev.  Grove  L.  Brownell,  1226. 

Dr.  R.  Abernethy. 

Dr.  J.  R.  Eastman. 

Elisha  Michell,  D.  D. 

Shadrach  Osborn  and  wife. 

Dr.  Samuel  Steele,  taken,  1826. 

R.  C.  Steele,  taken,  1826. 

Willie  Steele  Cothren,  son  of  William  and. Mary  J.  Cothren. 

Hon.  William  Hinman. 

Gen.  David  Bird  and  wife. 

Col.  David  Bellamy  and  wife. 

Nicholas  J.  Masters  and  wife,  taken,  1796. 

Hon.  Charles  B,  Phelps. 

John  P.  Marshall. 

Albert  Blackman. 

John  Pernett  and  wife. 

Marshall. 

John  Blagg. 
Jasper  P.  Blagg. 
Wife  of  Col.  Pearse. 

Two  of  Daniel  Bacon,  Esq.,  taken  in  1795  and  1826. 
Two  of  his  wife,  "       "   1795  and  1826. 

Asahel  Bacon,  wife  and  two  children,  1795. 
Eliiah  Sherman,  Esq.,  and  wife. 
26 


214 

Jesse  Minor. 

Norman  Parker. 

H.  J.  Lindsley. 

John  McKinney. 

Timothy  Terrill. 

Rev.  Fosdic  Harrison  and  wife. 

Mrs.  Caroline  Camp. 

A  looking  glass  200  years  old. 

Two  paintings  over  200  years  old. 

One  painting  over  300  years  old. 

Map  of  New  England  104  years  old. 

A  book  of  pamphlets,  one  title  page  being  as  follows : 
"  The  Picture  of  a  Puritane" 
or  a  relation  of  the  opinions,  qualities,  and  practices  of  the  Anabap- 
tists in  Germanie,  and  of  the  Puritanes  in  England.  Wherein  is 
firmly  proved  that  the  Puritanes  doe  resemble  the  Anabaptists,  in  aboue 
four  score  seuerell  thinges.  By  0.  0.,  of  Emmanuel.  Whereunto  is 
annexed  a  short  treatise,  entituled,  puritano-papismus,  or  a  discovery 
of  Puritan-papism. 

London. 
Printed  by  E.  A.,  for  Nathaniel  Fosbroke,  and  to  be  sold  at  his  shop  at 
the  West  End 

Of  paules,  1605. 

One  Silver  Tea  Caddy,  purchased  with  Continental  money. 

One  Table  Spoon,  1712. 

One  set  Tea  Spoons,  1786. 

One  pair  Knee  Buckles,  1781. 

One  High  Heel  Shoe,  very  old. 

A  copy  of  the  Farmers'  Journal,  printed  at  Danbury,  Conn.,  1790. 

Lace  Pattern  and  Bobbin  used  by  the  mother  of  Roger  Sherman, 
signer  of  the  Declaration. 

Antique  China  Shoes,  &c. 

A  Child's  Embroidery,  1773. 

Antique  Shoes,  Mrs.  N.  R.  Smith,  Roxbury. 

Shoe  Buckles,  worn  by  Gen.  Ephraim  Hinman,  Roxbury ;  exhib- 
ited by  M.  L.  Beardsley. 

Small  Brass  Tea  Kettle,  brought  from  Holland  1656  or  1657;  ex- 
hibited by  Mrs.  D.  C.  Sanford,  New  Milford. 

Silver  Spoons,  small  in  size,  formerly  owned  by  Mrs.  Capt.  Tru- 
man Hinman. 

Silver  Pepper  Boxes,  1770,  owned  by  Mrs.  Capt.  Truman  Hinman. 

Silver  Tankard,  1790,  owned  by  Mrs.  Anna  Hinman. 


216 

Gold  and  Silver  Knee  Buckles,  1750 — Mr,  Truman  Hinman. 

Satin  Brocade  Dress,  worn  by  Mrs.  Capt.  Truman  Hinman,  1700- 

Pictures  formerly  owned  by  Edward  Hinman,  Esq.,  commonly 
called  "  Lawyer  Ned,"  one  of  the  two  earliest  lawyers  in  Woodbury, 
1760. 

Embroidery — Linen  Curtains,  wrought  in  colors  in  worsted,  about 
1765,  by  Miss  Sarah  Hicock,  afterwards  second  wife  of  Col.  Benja- 
min Hinman,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Olive  Hinman  Laird. 

An  Indian  Belt  of  Pomperaug,  owned  by  Erastus  Osborn,  Esq., 
1659. 

The  last  list  of  eight  distinct  kinds  of  articles,  was  exhibited  by 
Miss  Helen  E.  Hinman,  of  Southbury. 

"The  Pequot  Gun,"  made  and  dated  in  1624;  the  "Forty  Indian 
Gun,"  so  called  from  the  alleged  fact  that  it  had  been  the  instrument 
of  death  to  forty  redskins  ;  Washington's  New  York  Chair,  and  that 
of  Col.  Benj.  Hinman,  with  his  "  Pipe  of  Peace,"  were  also  on  ex- 
hibition. There  were  many  other  things  of  interest  in  this  collection 
of  antiquities,  of  which  the  editor,  in  the  hurry  of  the  separation  of 

the  great  assembly,  was  unable  to  obtain. 

» 

The  following  sweet  lines,  written  for  the  Litchfield  Centennial 
Celebration,  in  1851,  by  a  lofty  genius  of  Woodbury,  a  most  lovely 
and  estimable  lady,  now  an  angel  in  the  regions  of  bliss,  breathe  the 
sentiments  and  emotions  she  would  have  loved  to  express,  had  she 
been  spared  to  join  in  the  exercises  of  our  interesting  festival.*  The 
reader  can  not  fail  to  be  impressed  with  their  beauty,  and  their  adapta- 
tion to  the  circumstances  of  our  celebration.  They  seem  like  a  voice 
of  the  loved  and  lost,  from  the  spirit  land,  breathing  a  spirit  of  deep 
affection  from  the  realms  of  happiness. 

A  Call  to  the  Centennial  Celebration. 

Brothers  !  from  each  laughing  valley, 

From  our  hill-sides,  rough  and  bold  ! 
Round  our  common  center  rally. 

Like  the  Jewish  tribes  of  old  ! 

Fathers,  come  !  your  locks  will  whiten — 

Mothers  !  ye  are  young  no  more  ; 
But  your  fading  hopes  will  brighten, 

With  the  memories  of  yore  ! 

*  Mrs.  Mary  Smith  Monell,  wife  of  Hon.  John  J.  Monell,  of  Newburgh,  N.  Y., 
and  only  daughter  of  Hon.  N.  B.  Smith. 


216 

Come,  ye  sons,  so  sturdy,  growing, 
Strong  and  tall,  as  freemen  should ; — 

Bring  your  sisters,  fluttering,  glowing, 
Like  rose-laurels  in  a  wood. 

We  will  tell  you,  if  you  listen. 
How  two  hundred  years  ago, 

Pilgrims  saw  our  waters  glisten, 
In  the  valley,  far  below  ; — 

"Where  the  forest,  grand  and  lonely, 

In  primeval  beauty  stood, 
And  the  wandering  red  men  only 

Knew  the  windings  through  the  wood  ; 

Where  our  household  fires  are  burning. 
Wild  deer  bounded,  far  and  free  ; 

Streams,  our  busy  mill-wheels  turning 
Idly,  sang  a  song  of  glee  ; 

Where  our  fathers  sat  beside  them, 

After  travel  long  and  sore — 
Fearing  nought  that  could  betide  them, 

Might  they  find  a  home  once  more  ! 

For  a  home  they  fronted  danger — 

Wrought  with  rifle  lying  near  : 
To  all  luxury  a  stranger. 

Was  each  dauntless  Pioneer. 

Noble  Fathers  !  silent  lying 

In  your  grave-rest,  stern  and  cold. 

Still  ye  preach,  with  voice  undying. 
To  your  children  from  the  mould ! 

And  ye  tell  us,  "  Love  each  other  ; " 
"  Guard  your  homes  we  toiled  to  win, 

Let  no  hatred  of  your  brother. 
Doubt,  or  malice,  enter  in  !  " 

"  Chiefly  on  each  household  altar, 
Keep  devotion  burning  bright, 

Then  ye  will  not  pause  or  falter 
In  the  doing  of  the  right!" 


217 

"  Firm  in  purpose  and  endeavor, 
Tireless  till  the  goal  be  won, 

Men  shall  know  you,  wheresoever 
There  is  labor  to  be  done." 

Ye  are  freemen !     Ye  may  glory, 
In  your  Union,  firm  and  strong  ;- 

Let  no  future  tell  a  story. 
Of  dissension,  or  of  wrong. 

Look  into  each  other's  faces — 
Ye  will  meet  again  no  more  ; 

Then  depart  and  fill  your  places 
Better  than  you  did  before. 


CONCLUDING  REMAEKS. 

The  weather  during  the  two  days  devoted  to  the  exercises,  was 
clear,  cool,  and  delightful.  It  was  a  general  remark  that  Providence 
seemed  to  smile  on  the  celebration.  The  immense  concourse  of  peo- 
ple exhibited  very  great  interest  in  the  proceedings,  which  never  flag- 
ged during  the  extended  exercises,  and  constant  sittings  of  the  two 
days.  There  was  a  generous  and  intelligent  appreciation  of  the  in- 
tellectual feast  prepared  for  them,  on  this  occasion,  never  excelled  at 
.any  similar  celebration.  Although  the  labors  of  the  Committee  have 
been  severe  and  painful,  beyond  the  comprehension  of  many,  and 
might  exceed  the  belief  of  all,  yet  its  members  feel  fully  compensated 
for  all  their  pains  and  toil,  by  the  expression  of  entire  satisfaction 
and  approbation,  on  the  part  of  the  people,  which  greet  them  on  every 
side.  So  far  as  we  know,  every  hearer,  whose  voice  has  yet  been 
heard,  declares  the  celebration  to  have  been  an  unbounded  success. 

On  the  Sabbath  preceding  the  4th,  allusions  to  the  approaching  cel- 
ebration were  made  in  several  of  the  Churches  in  town,  and  an  ap- 
propriate welcome  to  the  returned  emigrants  from  the  old  town  ex- 
tended. In  the  First,  or  old  Pioneer  Congregational  Church,  the 
oldest  by  many  years  in  this  county,  the  pastor,  Rev.  Robert  G.  Wil- 
liams, read  a  sermon,  preached  by  Rev.  Anthony  Stoddard,  its  second 
minister,  on  the  6th  of  July,  1754,  to  the  same  Church,  in  presence 
of  the  levies,  raised  to  march  against  Crown  Point,  in  the  old  French 
"War.     The  sermon  was  written  on  leaves  about  three  inches  square, 


218 

and  showed  evident  traces  of  the  patriarchal  age  of  one  hundred  and 
five  years.  The  historical  associations  which  clustered  around  it,  the 
place,  the  identical  manuscript,  the  very  presence  in  which  we  were 
assembled,  listening  to  the  same  words  which  our  fathers,  who  have 
been  slumbering  for  generations  in  the  old  church-yard,  heard  on 
that  occasion,  so  momentous  to  many  hearts,  wrought  up  the  imagi- 
nation to  a  temporary  companionship  with  the  silent  shades  of  the 
spirit  land.  It  was  a  fitting  introduction  to  the  exercises  of  the  cele- 
bration, that  was  so  soon  to  occur. 

It  was  not  a  small  matter  to  feed  and  shelter  the  vast  multitude  as- 
sembled at  the  celebration.  But  the  most  ample  provision  to  meet 
the  exigences  of  the  occasion  had  been  made  by  the  ladies.  Tents 
had  been  prepared  by  the  Committee,  for  each  of  the  towns  once 
included  within  the  limits  of  Ancient  Woodbury,  "  with  ensigns  fly- 
ing," to  direct  the  people  to  the  proper  places.  There  was  also  a  tent 
appropriated  to  the  use  of  invited  guests  from  abroad.  In  these  the 
multitudes  united  in  a  mammoth  Antiquarian  Pic-Nic.  No  price 
was  demanded,  but  like  the  sunshine,  all  was  free.  But  the  antique 
pic-nic  proper  was  celebrated  beneath  the  deep  blue  sky,  within  the 
shade  of  some  large  apple  trees,  spread  on  old  tables,  covered  with 
pewter  platters,  wooden  trenchers,  pewter  and  wooden  spoons,  and  all 
the  antiquarian  articles  that  had  been  preserved,  and  handed  down 
to  us  from  "  former  generations."  The  viands  consisted  of  bean  por- 
ridge, baked  pork  and  beans,  Indian  pudding,  hominy,  rye  and  Indian 
bread,  and  numerous  other  primitive  dishes.  Mrs.  N.  B.  Smith  pre- 
sided over  the  table  arrangements  for  Woodbury,  with  that  ease  and 
grace  for  which  she  is  so  much  distinguished,  aided  in  the  most  ef- 
fective manner  by  nearly  all  the  other  ladies  of  the  town.  In  all  the 
tents  the  tables  groaned  with  abundance,  and  were  set  out  with  a  taste 
in  arrangement,  and  excellence  of  viands,  rarely  equalled  on  any 
similar  festive  occasion.  Too  great  praise  cannot  be  awarded  to  the 
ladies  for  the  indispensable  aid  they  furnished  at  the  joyous  festival. 
Where  all  did  well,  it  would  be  invidious  to  mention  names. 

Among  the  many  pleasing  incidents  of  the  celebration,  was  the 
reading  of  the  beautiful  and  thrilling  poem,  in  the  preceding  pages 
by  Mi'S.  Ann  S.  Stephens,  a  native  of  "Ancient  Woodbury."  There 
was  a  soul,  and  an  emotion,  pervading  the  whole  of  the  production, 
that  showed  the  heart  of  the  writer  was  in  the  subject ;  and  so  strik- 
ing was  its  effect  on  an  audience  wearied  by  the  almost  uninterrupted 
exercises  of  ten  hours,  that  when  the  reading  was  concluded,  and  the 
"  Historian  of  Ancient  Woodbury "  advanced  to  the  front  of  the 


219 

stand,  and  moved  three  cheers  for  the  "  Poetess  of  Ancient  Wood- 
bury," it  was  responded  to  by  the  great  assemblage,  with  an  enthu- 
siasm which  must  have  been  grateful  to  the  distinguished  authoress, 
who  was,  at  the  moment,  sitting  quietly  upon  the  stand. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  keep  a  Register  of  the  names  of  all  who 
attended  the  celebration,  with  a  view  to  preservation.  The  request 
that  every  person  would  register  his  name,  was  announced  from  the 
stand.  But  owing  to  the  great  multitude,  and  to  the  fact  that  every 
moment  was  occupied  with  interesting  public  exercises,  very  few 
complied  with  the  request. 

Among  the  distinguished  persons  in  attendance,  besides  those 
already  named,  we  noticed  the  following  named  persons ;  and  doubt- 
less there  were  many  others,  whom  we  did  not  see  in  the  crush  and 
hurry  of  the  occasion : — Hon.  John  Boyd  of  Winchester,  Secretary 
of  Connecticut ;  Hon.  Origen  S.  Seymour  of  Litchfield,  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court,  with  his  son,  Edward  W.  Seymour,  E-sq.;  Jona- 
than Knight,  M.  D.,  of  New  Haven,  Professor  in  Yale  College  ; 
Hon.  Ralph  D.  Smith  of  Guilford,  a  native  of  Southbury ;  Hon. 
William  B.  Wooster  of  Birmingham  ;  E.  B.  Cooke,  Esq.,  Editor  of 
the  Waterbury  American ;  Rev.  J.  M.  Willey  of  Waterbury  ;  Hon. 
Judson  W.  Sherman,  Member  of  Congress,  of  Angelica,  N.  Y. ; 
Hon.  Green  Kendrick  of  Waterbury ;  Nathaniel  A.  Bacon,  Esq.,  of 
New  Haven ;  William  Nelson  Blakeman,  M.  D.,  a  distinguished 
physician  of  New  York,  and  a  native  of  Roxbury ;  Charles  Nettleton, 
Esq.,  of  New  York,  a  native  of  Washington  ;  Hon.  Samuel  G.  Good- 
rich of  Southbury,  late  Consul  at  Paris,  the  well-known  "  Peter 
Parley;"  C.  S.  Trowbridge,  Esq.,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.;  Jl.  F.  Trow- 
bridge, Esq.,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.;  Rev.  Charles  W.  Powell  of  Mid- 
dlebury ;  Alexander  Frazer,  Esq.,  of  New  York ;  Rev.  C.  S. 
Sherman  of  Naugatuck ;  Rev.  Abijah  M.  Calkin  of  Cochecton,  N.  Y. ; 
Rev.  Ira  Abbott  of  Southbury  ;  Rev.  Jason  Atwater  of  West  Haven  ; 
Rev.  J.  K.  Averill  of  Plymouth  ;  Rev.  E.  Lyman,  and  Hon.  Charles 
Adams  of  Litchfield,  Editor  of  the  Litchfield  Enquirer. 

Among  the  venerable  men  of  other  days,  we  noticed  on  the  stage, 
Capt.  Judson  Hurd,  85  years  of  age,  so  active  and  vigorous,  that  he 
had  ridden  on  horseback  in  the  morning,  with  his  "  lady  love  "  of  72, 
on  a  pillion  behind  him.  We  also  noticed  Dea.  David  Punderson  of 
Washington,  aged  86,  Nathaniel  Richardson  of  Middlebury,  aged  85, 
and  Mr.  William  Summers,  of  the  ripe  age  of  nearly  ninety  years',  a 
resident  of  Woodbury,  and  the  oldest  man  in  town. 

The  extended  and  efficient  arrangements  of  the  General  Com- 
mittee, for  providing  strangers  with  accommodations  and  protection, 


220 

were  thoroughly  carried  out.  Perfect  satisfaction  and  quiet  reigned 
throughout  the  celebration.  More  than  fifteen  hundred  visitors  were 
lodged  in  the  town  the  first  night,  and  in  the  other  towns  of  the 
ancient  territory,  at  least  twice  that  number.  All  the  inhabitants  threw 
open  their  doors,  and  from  ten  to  seventy-five  persons  to  a  house 
found  quarters  for  the  night.  Even  our  least  opulent  citizens  dis- 
played an  extraordinary  anxiety  to  add  to  the  general  enjoyment  of 
the  occasion.  As  an  instance,  Mr.  Harry  M.  Fox,  who,  certainly,  is 
not  much  blessed  with  this  world's  goods,  fed  twenty-six  persons,  and 
lodged  twelve.  We  have  not  yet  heard  of  an  individual,  who  was 
not  provided  with  reasonable  accommodations. 

To  the  active  field  operations  of  Rev.  R.  G.  Williams,  Rev.  C.  T. 
Woodruff,  James  Huntington,  Esq.,  Wm.  E.  Woodruff,  Esq.,  and 
John  A.  Boughton,  B.  A.,  the  people  are,  in  good  part,  indebted  for 
the  arrangement  of  the  tents,  and  preparation  of  the  grounds  in  a 
comfortable  and  beautiful  manner. 

To  Philo  M.  Trowbridge,  Esq.,  for  his  indefatigable  labors  for 
many  months,  both  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Invitation,  and 
as  Secretary  of  the  General  Committee,  as  well  as  for  the  excellent 
taste  displayed  by  him  in  the  antique  department,  the  warmest  thanks 
of  the  public  are  due. 

A  very  pleasing  feature  in  the  "Antique  Procession,"  not  before 
noticed  in  these  pages,  was  the  fine  turn-out  of  King  Solomon's 
Lodge,  No.  7,  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  of  Woodbury,  in  the 
splendid  regalia  of  its  mystic  brotherhood.  This  is  not  only  one  of 
the  oldest  lodges  west  of  Connecticut  river,  having  received  its  first 
charter  in  1765,  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Colony  of 
Massachusetts,  but  it  has  been  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respectable 
in  the  State,  both  for  the  number  and  character  of  its  members.  It 
was  with  becoming  pride,  that  they  joined  in  the  antique  portion  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  festival,  celebrating  at  once  the  antiquity  of 
the  town,  and  the  establishment  therein  of  their  own  ancient,  benevo- 
olent,  and  honorable  fraternity. 

The  music  on  the  occasion  was  furnished  by  the  New  Milford 
Band,  in  a  highly  creditable  and  satisfactory  manner.  During  the 
evening  of  the  first  day,  it  serenaded  the  orator  of  the  day,  and  other 
residents  connected  with  the  active  exercises  of  the  occasion.  In 
short,  every  part  of  the  programme  was  well  performed,  and  the 
whole  celebration  was  pronounced  by  all  present  to  be  a  perfect  suc- 
cess. As  it  was  the  largest,  so  it  was  more  perfect,  in  all  its  arrange- 
ments, than  any  similar  celebration  in  this  country. 


// 


INDEX. 


Address,  Historical,  -----         27 

Aged  Men,        ------  219 

Antique  Committee,               -             -  -             -             -         10 

«        Pic-Nic,            -             -             -  -             -                 12 

"        Portrait  Gallery,     -             -  -             -              11-212 

"        Provision,         -----  20 

Appointments,  notice  of,        -             -  -             -             -            4 

Bacon,  Wm.  T. — Historical  Poem,         -  -             -                 78 

"               "         Centennial  Hymn,  -             -             -       103 

Benediction,  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Shipman,  -             -                101 

"            Rev.  Philo  Judson,        -  -             -             -       187 

Bethel  Rock  Prayer  Meeting,    -             -  -             -               101 

Celebration,  Origin  of,            -             -  -              -             -           3 

Centennial  Hymn,         -             -              -  -             -                103 

Cothren,  Wm.,  Historical  Address,    -  -              -             -         27 

«            "      Letter  of,            -             -  -             -                    7 

"      Odes  of,         -             -  -             -      21-100-137 

Concluding  Remarks,    -             -             -  -              -                217 

Churchill,  John,  Letter  of,     -              -  -             -             -           8 

Committee,  General,  Appointment  of,     -  -             -                    3 

«                  "         1st  Meeting  of,  .             -             -           3 

a                 a         2nd       "         "        -  -             -                    4 

(I                 «        3^         «         «  .    .             .             -           7 

«                  «         4th        «         "        .  -             -                    8 

«                «        5th       "        "  -            -            -         11 

«                 "        Votes  of,   -             -  -             -                   4 

"           of  Invitation,      -----  5 

"           on  Antique  Procession,         -  -             -                 10 

27 


222 

Committee  on  Finance,         _             -             -             -.  -         11 

"           on  Portrait  Gallery,             -             -             -  H 

'*           of  Arrangements  for  "Woodbury,               -  -         11 

«           on  Pic-Nic             «              «              .             .  12 

Committees  of  the  several  Towns,    -             -             -  13  to  18 

Distinguished  Guests,             -             -             -             -  -219 

Exercises,  Order  of,               -             -             -             -  _  -           8 

Indian  Deed  of  1659,  .....         18 

Invitation  Committee,    -             -             -             -             -  5 

«                 «.....-  6 

King  Solomon's  Lodge,               ....  220 

Letter,  Booth,  Henry,  -----  207 

"         Butler,  Thomas  B.,  -             -             -             -  -       199 

"          Graham,  John  L.,         .             -             -             -  188 

"          Fuller,  Samuel,         -              -              -              -  -        193 

Hall,  Hiland,    -----  209 

«          Hill,  Charles  J.,        -             -             -             -  -       189 

"         Hinman,  Royal  R.,        -             -             -             -  192-202 

"                "         John  E.,     -              -             -             -  -       200 

"         Knight,  Jonathan,      ,    t             -             -             -  196 

"         Murray,  Rufus,         -              -             -             -  -       208 

Peet,  Harvey  P.,           -             -             -             -  203 

"         Sherman,  John,         -----       192 

Smith,  Julia  E.,             -             -             -             -  -          207 

Stoddard,  Henry,     -             -             -             -  -       193 

Stuart,  Isaac  W.,           -             -             -             -  160 

"          Trowbridge,  R.  F.,  -             -             -             -  -       206 

"         Whiting,  Betsey  T.  A.,               .             .             -  204 

"         Williams,  WiUiam,  -             -             -             -  -       178 

Marshals,  List  of,      -             -             -              -             -  -10 

Odes,  by  W.  Cothren,  -  .  -  -      21-100-137 

«     by  Rev.  W.  T.  Bacon,      -             -             -             -  103 

"     by  Mrs.  Lydia  H.  Sigourney,  -             -             -  -       161 

"     by  Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens,             ...  155 
"     by  Miss  Hortensia  M.  Thomas,             ...       206 


223 

Ode,  by  Mrs.  Mary  Smith  Monell,         -            -  -              215 

Order  of  Exercises,                .             _             -  -             -           8 

Order  of  Procession,     -             -             -             -  -                 19 

Poem,  Historical, — W.  T.  Bacon,      -             -  -             -         78 

"       Centennial— Geo.  H.  Clark,         -             -  -               162 

"      Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stephens,            -             -  -             -       181 

"      Miss  H.  M.  Thomas,         -            -             -  -179 

Prayer — Rev.  R.  G.  "Williams,          -            -  -             -         22 

«           Rev.  F.  W.  Smith,        ...  -             104 

«           Rev.  C.  T.  Woodruff,         -             -  -            -       183 

Portrait  Gallery,-             .             -             -             -  -             212 

Sermon — Rev.  Henry  B.  Sherman,        -             -  -               107 

"            in  verse — Major  Amos  Stoddard,  -  -             -       194 

Sentiment — Hon.  J.  L.  Graham,  -  -  -  189 
«           Hon.  R.  R.  Hinman,       ....       193 

"            Mr.  Sherman  Tuttle,            ...  193 

Speech — Rev.  Anson  S.  Atwood,      -             -  -             -       125 

"  Hon.  Seth  P.  Beers,  ....  137 
"            Hon.  Charles  Chapman,      ....       159 

"            Hon.  Henry  Button,    -             -              -  -                168 

«           Leman  Galpin,  M.  D.,        -             -  -             -       174 

«           David  B.  W.  Hard,  M.  D.,     -             -  -               143 

"           Rev.  Philo  Judson,              -             -  -             -       184 

"           Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Meigs,         ...  102 

«           Hon.  William  T.  Minor,                  -  -             -       150 

"           Dea.  Truman  Minor,                  -             -  -             131 

"           Samuel  Minor,  Esq.,           -             -  -             -       172 

«           Rev.  Thomas  L.  Shipman,         .             -  -             130 

"           Nathaniel  Smith,  Esq.,        -             -  -             -         25 

"           Thomas  M.  Thompson,  A.  M.,                -  -             156 

«           Gen.  Wm.  Williams,           -             -  -             -       178 

Town  Committees,         ...             -             .  .                 19 


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